"Don't say a word. Just smile your ass off."

Those were my thoughts when I went to drop off my younger daughter at my uber-Republican mother-in-law's house this morning.

I knew she'd be in a rotten mood. She was in a rotten mood the day after Election Day 2008 as well. But the thing was back in 2008, I almost felt a bit sorry for her. I remember how I felt in 2004 after Kerry lost and how heartbreaking that was for me, so there was a tiny part of me that pitied her on that day 4 years ago.

But after 4 years of listening to her consistent poisonous vitriol of the highest degree against the President, I had no more pity for her. None.

So I pull in with NPR a'blaring with a post-election analysis report, wearing a nice blue dress shirt. I get out of the car to get my younger daughter out, and when I see my MIL walking out, I simply say, "Hello (MIL name)!" in the most sing songy voice imaginable.

And I grin. From ear to ear, I grin.

I take my younger daughter out of her car seat and raise her up in the air (much to her delight!) My MIL goes to check on my older daughter, still in the car, and I make sure to keep the car running with the NPR report quite audible on how President Obama was re-elected the night before.

She then more or less grunts at my younger daughter to come with her back into the house. As she walks back in, I let out one last super happy, "Goodbye!" to her.

I don't think I got a response.

I know she tried more or less to to acknowledge my existence this morning, but I know she did. I'm certain that she did.

Never has not saying a word felt so good and fulfilling in my life!