We can't see the future. So let's not expect the worst.

Today is my 10th wedding anniversary (please hold your applause until the end). I remember a lot of things from Nov. 11, 2006. The joy I felt from marrying the woman that I loved. The comfort I received when I looked around the room and saw all my friends and family in one spot, having a great time together. And the pain I felt in my head, thanks to staying up way too late with all those people the night before at the hotel bar.

But there was a lot of angst, too. Would I be a good husband? A good father? A good provider? My mind was really racing in those moments leading up to the ceremony, and with good reason -- there are few things more powerful than the fear of the unknown.

It's why we think twice before making a major commitment. It's why we might look at that green thing on our dinner plate and suddenly feel full. And it's why a kid who was always scared of dogs had absolutely no interest in getting one last year.

Well, that certainly worked out OK.

You know where I'm going with all this, right? Many people are scared right now for the future of our country. And I'm not writing this to tell people how to feel, but I want you to consider something: fears are often unfounded. I can't predict what will happen tomorrow, next month or a year from now, but I do know that we need to take a deep breath and keep our heads.

I kept thinking about the 2008 election this week. There was a sizable portion of our population that feared the worst, remember? To recap: he'll be a job-killer, he'll take away our guns, his tax policies will destroy the economy and cause everyone to stop spending money, to name a few.

Well, let's review. November 2016 marked the 73rd straight month of job growth and the economy continues to expand, albeit at a slow pace. Hmmm. Not bad.

Next, the guns. Here's some interesting data from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. These are the number of firearms processed from applications each year since 2008.

Fiscal Year	Firearms Processed
2015	1,426,211
2014	1,383,677
2013	1,152,163
2012	1,112,041
2011	992,975
2010	828,462
2009	834,328
2008	981,303

OK. Sure doesn't look like people lost their guns. If anything, they probably found some more.

Finally, the taxes and economy. Here's a snippet from a recent Baltimore Sun article:

"President Barack Obama's 2013 tax increases for wealthy Americans neither slowed their income growth nor hurt the economy, according to a study that taps into a key debate in the current presidential race. The top 1 percent of earners managed to increase their share of the nation's income at about the same pace after their taxes were raised as they had before, according to the study.

"Other data points appear to support the study's conclusion: Employers added 5.8 million jobs in 2014 and 2015 — the strongest two-year growth since the late 1990s. And income for the typical household jumped last year by the most since records began in 1967, according to the Census Bureau. That increase followed years of stagnation."

You know what? I laughed at all those people who said the world would end in 2008. And now I've got some facts to back me up here, which is kinda cool.

So should we be so quick to assume that we're headin' for Armageddon in 2016? I say no.

Hey, I'm as disappointed as anyone with what happened this week. I'm not delusional, as some guy called me on a Washington Post forum. And I am NOT defending the actions or beliefs of the man who won this election.

You know what I do believe? That not all of his supporters are "deplorables." And that we live in a system of checks and balances, and that I'd be shocked if the president-elect could actually pull off 90 percent of the things he promised to do during the campaign.

So think about what's good in your lives and how that will not change. And please don't assume the worst as we all move forward. It won't get us anywhere.

It's a good day

I have tried to avoid politics on this blog. It goes without saying that this whole election process (is it really over today?) has split the country in two, and I'm so tired of the hate being spewed from both sides of the aisle.

No matter which way you lean politically, though, it's a good day. Just try to shut out the noise for a few hours and remember that our country -- imperfect as it may be -- is a damn fine place to live. I think many people forget that. If we don't like the way things work, we're free to shout out our objections and cast a vote for somebody who will champion our cause. A lot of people in this world don't even have that luxury.

Election Day always makes me think of my Dad and what he stood for as an American. To take pride in your country, to treat everyone with respect and to always lend a hand to those in need. When I was 17 and approaching my eligibility to vote, I pulled him aside one day and asked him which party I should support at the polls.

And, as usual, the answer came straight between the eyes from a lifelong Democrat.

"Joe, you're your own man. I can't tell you how to vote. But I will tell you one thing. The Republican Party never did a goddamn thing for the working man. You remember that."

Amen.

I'm only sharing that because it's a funny story, at least for me. It's not meant to disparage those with opposing views. Hell, many of my best friends are lifelong Republicans. But our politics don't define us. They don't get between us, and they don't interfere with what matters most in our lives.

I think a lot of people forget that, too. We're more alike than we realize. No matter what happens today, I hope all this bullshit and vitriol can subside for a while. It's not good for anyone, whether you're a Democrat, Republican, independent, or anyone who gives a damn about our fine country.

Oh, and if you need another reason to smile, you should check this out when you get a chance: https://www.tellamericaitsgreat.com/

Talk to you soon.