I am saddened by the events of the last week. We just honored one of the greatest freedoms we have here in the U.S., the ability to vote and choose. Yet I do not feel like celebrating. I feel like crying. Crying not because of the outcome of the election, but because of how people are responding to the election.

Neighbors, friends and families are divided over the outcome of the election. This is truly a sad state of affairs. Whether someone can afford the newest and best or they rely on the kindness of others; whether they live in the biggest house or under a bridge; whether they voted for Obama or Romney, they all have value! All people have sacred worth in the eyes of God. The greatest gift we can give to another is our life. This doesn’t mean we have to die, but that we need to live.

Veteran’s Day is a day to honor those who offered their lives so we may live. We have the freedom to vote because people fought for it and died to protect it. Fighting over these rights and freedoms insults those who have died to ensure that we have those freedoms. We are better than this! Montana has seen hard times before and we can get through whatever tough times are ahead if we do it together. If we are going to make this world a better place, then we must put aside our differences and start working together. Let’s get started!

Rev. Brett Stanislao,

Bigfork