A letter to my son:
By the time you are studying American history, yesterday will be old news. You and your classmates won't remember a time when this country had yet to elect an African-American president.
Trust me, little dude, yesterday was a big deal. As you and I ate cereal at our kitchen table, Americans got in line to wait for three hours to place their votes. It was the first time in a voting booth for many of them. While we made snowmen with your Play Doh and danced to the Wiggles voters were turning out in record numbers.
You were there when your dad and I placed our votes. You were in the elementary school gym, sitting next to your dad, as we both confidently filled in the ovals next to Barack Obama's name. You were there as voters and volunteers chatted happily, no matter who they were voting for. Even in our tiny voting location, people were excited.
You were in bed by the time we turned on the TV to watch the election results come in. You were still peacefully sleeping, wearing dinosaur pajamas, when your dad and I heard, "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may interrupt...Barack Obama is the next President of the United States." I cried, little man. I cried for every child in this country who will now KNOW that there is no limit to their potential. I cried for the elderly men and women who never believed they'd see an African-American president in their lifetime. And I cried for me. I am just one of the many people across this country who feels that finally my voice has been heard.
This country is in rough shape. Barack Obama is just one man and I can't imagine how he'll be able to meet all of our expectations. All we can do is hope for the best. And today, for the first time in a long time, we have all been given the chance to hope.
Yes, Sam. We can.
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4 comments:
Extremely well-written Emilie! I was happy with the outcome, it WAS an historical day that will be remembered. Now we just need to elect a woman president . . . I hope I live to see that!
Very well said! Brought tears to my eyes reading it... :)
You made me cry again....
Do you remember when you t-voed (how do you spell that?) him on the View for me?? LOL.
Great post! It did not just leave tears in my eyes, I'm bawling. There is a reason I haven't written an election blog. Every time I think about it I cry.
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