Oooh, I'm still behind on the wheel. How I miss writing away on my blog! Mike and I finally took the tree down last week, and things are getting back to normal after the holiday season. I did feel it important to record the events of today, and my feelings about them.
If you follow the blog, you know that I was a McCain voter. I thought he wouldn't win...but I voted with the soldiers and sailors, and my conscience. I felt very uneasy about some aspects of my vote. I was able to put some things aside (my feelings regarding many issues where I do NOT agree with the republican party) to vote for the things that I really felt were most important.
On the day after the election, I dropped the big kids off at school, an headed for the store. It was not crowded there. The lady at the florist counter offered Holly Jean the "free balloon." She was African American. She smiled at us. Inside, I wanted to say, "I am happy for you. I feel good for you." But I didn't need to. We were both kind of happy to each other. At the deli counter, the same thing. An African American gentleman waited on us, and I just felt happy...for both of us. That man behind the counter seemed satisfied. I felt satisfied too. At the check out, the same situation. The same feeling. I had never felt that I was better than any of those familiar faces before...now, I just felt a little more united with strangers who were different than me. United for a hopeful cause: united for a desire for relief for our tired country, and for a better way to live freely.
Today, at our school, I heard the inspiring call of our new president. I heard his welcome to me, someone who did not vote for him. I heard him as he spoke of our need to follow the selfless example of our men and women in uniform, and serve our country and one another. I heard him speak to young parents like me, and I heard him ask me to raise good children, who will further promote our desire to live in a free world. I though about how many times I've seen children from middle and upper class households raised in emotional neglect, a different kind of neglect, without concern for his or her neighbor, or respect for the democracy in which we live.
Don't get me wrong. I am not "changing sides" and going the way of that screeching shrew Nancy-pants Pelosi. Those feelings (and that name calling) actually belittle the point. The point is that the sides must go away. (And hopefully Nancy Pelosi will, too...I CAN'T HELP IT!) The only side to be on now is the one of our democracy, of freedom, of equality, and of a good life for each and every one of us. Life is hard for many Americans. It should be better for many people. For that to happen, we are each going to have to make sacrifices, come together, and serve one another. As President Obama serves me, I am compelled to learn, try, and do what I can to help my neighbor and my country. I am hopeful that I can rise to the occasion, and I ask for a special blessing for our new president. He's only been in office for a few hours, but I like him a whole lot.
Look at Maggie's happy class.
Caroline marches in the parade.
Picnicking with the Osbornes at St. Anne's.
I want a better country for my children. Here's Charlie watching the events.
Our school came together. Everyone loves to feel like they are included.
