Witnessing change

Sometimes I'll become immersed in a story and think about it for a couple of days, maybe even three or four. I don't know that I've ever spent a week thinking this much on one (undoubtedly important and all-consuming) topic. 

The election was eight days ago and I'm starting to feel almost back to normal - though none of this is normal and there will be no "going back." That's how change works. Unlike everyone who has been able to write Facebook or Twitter posts, hang around on the porch and talk, or protest (on either side), my job has been to just witness the outcome of Donald Trump's becoming the President-elect.

There's been little space for expressing my own thoughts about the topic except for a couple private conversations. But I've been grateful for the period of internal, quiet contemplation. In the midst of that has been all my reporting, which I've used to both inform and also challenge my own ways of thinking. 

Now, I'll keep watching. In the meantime, here's what I've seen so far.

Election day at the polls (including long lines, supporters on both sides, a poll monitor, and a dog):

Voter portraits:

Gov. Maggie Hassan's election party (with tired and/or sad attendees as the night stretched on. She ended up winning the U.S. Senate seat...):

The "silent majority" for Trump around New Hampshire on Wednesday:

And lastly, an anti-Trump protest in Manchester on Saturday: