My first day out after Election Day wasn't until the weekend, due to recovering from oral surgery. But I was all out of applesauce, almond milk and nondairy pudding, so I went grocery shopping to my two favorite stores. And remarkable things happened.
It was uncanny how extra-nice everyone was - smiling, saying hello, being especially apologetic if they slightly brushed by you, sweetly offering their shopping carts as new customers walked in.
I interacted with many more people than I normally would have. It felt poignant, and reminded me of similar experiences right after 9-11.
All these customers seemed to recognize that many people were suffering from Post-Election Stress Disorder, and they were taking extra steps to be kind. Even though my own personal PESD experience had happened earlier, after the primaries, it still felt good and I deeply appreciated the comfort extended to me by strangers.
Yes, I was in a sanctuary, the Cathedral of Saint Trader Joe. And I wondered whether even the Second Coming could have brought people together as powerfully as the president-elect.
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