Okay. I'm not black. I'm an olive skinned Caucasian, but this morning I woke up feeling proud to be an American, at the dawn of what I hope will be a new era for this country that I have called home for almost 49 years. Things that seemed impossible a few months ago today feel possible. I can't quite put this into words but I am sure that I am not the only one feeling this way today. When those final Western states posted their results last night and it was announced that Barack Obama would indeed be our next president, I felt a relief that went all the way to my bones. I have been so incredibly moved by the footage of the celebration in Chicago's Grant Park, and by the words of the various African Americans in interviews throughout the day, as they have expressed what it means for them to finally live in a country where a black man not only can, but will, hold the highest office in the land. Seeing Barack Obama's open, kind, and intelligent face each time I've logged on to Yahoo to check my e-mail has brought joy to my heart- really, it brings tears to my eyes even writing this. My heart feels like it could burst. Today is a good day and I am so grateful to be here and be a part of all of this.
Although you don't see him, this picture is focused around president-elect-to be Barack Obama. Anna, my daughter, is shaking hands with him, I'm about to shake hands with him, and Ray, Anna's husband is in line. This was taken in Keene, NH in January. The photo I want to put in this post is of Anna and I high-fiving afterwards. Can't find it but I will search more later. On a more shallow, but personally meaningful note, it's a pleasure to see that my hair is a lot longer than it was then. I was only a couple of months out from chemotherapy when this photo was taken. Back then I even looked a little like Obama, which was disconcerting, attractive as he is.
