Did anyone else watch an eloquent, intelligent young man humbly accept the gift of the presidency of the United States from the hands of the American people—a people burdened and burned by eight dark, oppressive years of an administration devoid of hope, empty of compassion, bankrupt of honor—with tears welling up and spilling into your lap?
I couldn’t help it. There stood a man, a bright articulate man, speaking of change and hard work, healing and unification… instead of mouthing platitudes, whipping up blind nationalism, reminding us of our fears and encouraging our craven trembling in the face of all manner of threats and dangers. And this man…this well-spoken, inspirational man… was designated our next president. Representing the absolute antithesis of the buffoon we have borne in that capacity for way …too…long.
It hardly bears believing.
As I watched Barack Obama address his people, I literally felt as if a great heavy cloud was lifting from our nation. A cloud that no matter how hard we’d struggled or how loudly we’d shouted at it, would not budge, but rather settled more and more heavily upon us until we were utterly immobilized by its weight, a weight more analagous to the granite of a tombstone than the insubstantial mist of cloud.
Oh my god, it’s been a long time coming. I can believe in this country again. I can hope for this country again. I can look forward to seeing her regain her proud place among the nations of the world.
I emphatically wish we hadn’t had to endure the past eight hideous years in order to see this day. And I suppose it is likely that if the past eight years had been any less hideous, we would not be seeing this day. We have seen the worst. Dare we hope that, now, we may see the best?
All I know is..for the first time in a really long time, I can say with some conviction…
I’m proud to be an American.
8 comments:
Yep, me too. I have to be up in a few hours, but I'm too excited to sleep!
You've so eloquently stated exactly what I was trying to say as a comment to your previous post. Last night was amazing....something that was almost too much to hope for. But hope is the message he brings us, and YES WE CAN is our new mantra. The joy and pride and HOPE in that crowd in Grant Park was palpable. This morning, we all have reason to feel renewed pride in our country.
Amen, we do. I look forward to the process of healing and of the years we'll look back and say, "I lived through the Bush Administration." Much like some of our parents and grandparents would say about The Great Depression.
I'm crying again, thanks a lot. That's exactly how it feels, EXACTLY like a heavy cloud is lifting.
Okay, so I am not all happy like you all are, LOL. But I will try to work with him, in making our country the best it can be... I'll commit myself to helping others, perhaps pick up some official volunteer work. I'm already helping others every day in several ways,but not through any official organization. Maybe I'll go back to doing that again. One thing I want to do again is work for the Literacy Council, teaching others to read. And get their GED and jobs. It's time to sign up again... I was also doing English As a Second Language -- where you teach those who cannot speak or understand English at all -- how to speak English and read. It was fun! And it really benifited them, more importantly.
Okay, this is a call to action.
And a call to prayer. I am going to be praying for Obama, that he leads us in the best way...
We must all stay hopeful and positive, and make this country the best thing it can be. Even those of us who didn't vote for Obama. And pray. I am going to pray he changes his policies on abortion and infants born alive. I know many of you don't agree with what I just said, but I just said it anyway, LOL. I never was one to be intimidated, because I had a different view...
So I am going to help out and pray. I hope my Christian friends do the same. We need to trust the process some, I guess...
Krissy :)
main blog: Sometimes I Think
Krissy--
Welcome! We know that not everyone agrees--politically, spiritually, or philosophically. The world is a rainbow of cultures, beliefs, religions, colors, ethnicities... It would be a pretty boring place if it were not.
I applaud you for your spirit of service. Our country needs all like you that it can get its hands on. If we all work, and all work together, we can accomplish amazing things.
Let me just say that "pro-choice" does not mean "pro-abortion." It means safeguarding the right of every citizen to make a very private and difficult decision according to her beliefs. While "pro-choice" might protect the right of some women to choose abortion, it also protects YOUR right NOT to choose it.
We're glad you visited, and we hope to see you back. And comment as often as you like!
Yeah, we were both crying. God there's a long road ahead. But I think I see a little beam of light at the end of the tunnel.
Krissy! So glad you found us!
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