The phone calls are done. The fundraising push is complete. Yard signs are scrapped. No need to cull the Internet for opposition dirt. TV advertisers turn full force to Christmas, still seven weeks away. Facebook will return to a cat video site. And some climb out of their cave of isolation, after trying to avoid the rancor.
Now, much of the world waits. And yet, a sizeable number are oblivious or don't care.
What if there is not a clear winner? Do we revive discussions about hanging chads? How many recounts will it take?
Networks call the Senate races. State and local questions are decided to nudge the country in different directions, like squeezing a full balloon. The news outlets internally struggle to battle the risk/reward calculus of calling a race. The coffee and energy drinks flow like water to keep everyone alert until a decision is declared.
What is your internal struggle about who wins?
Will the world actually fall off its axis if the opposition wins? Is your candidate really capable of saving the world? We voted for fallible humans, not superheroes.
Is it too early to remember the words we spoke during the runup to the election? If the votes are not looking good, do you start packing tonight in pursuit of the Canadian border?
The neighbor that shared tears and waved the flag when the towers fell has now become the ignorant hater that deserves nothing less than a social media firing squad. This righteous volley is earned because of a different opinion that is protected by the Constitution. Please take the time to listen to their reason before pressing "send." we may all learn something.
Abraham Lincoln knew the path to rebuilding the country was humility. The Confederate soldiers were allowed to return home with their weapons as a means to maintain a shred of honor.
146 million are registered to vote, and the pundits anticipate a result too close to provide a mandate for governance. 70 million is a lot of people to disregard and call misguided losers.
As the numbers tally, and your candidate wears the victor's wreath, look to Lincoln and know the path forward is paved with humility.
Enjoy the celebration tonight, for we have a country to rebuild tomorrow.