Hoopla And Hope

I LOVE this photo! It was taken in Jakarta when it was announced that Obama was President. This election was so important to the whole world. For more lovely international photo reactions go HERE.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL!!!!!!!!

Wow. Seriously, WOW, it's all over.

I have had the most amazing and unexpected emotional reaction. It wasn't until John McCain was CONCEDING, until my mother and I were crying together (in our relief and happiness) on the phone, that I realized just how much I had been anticipating the privilege of HOPE again.

HOPE.

Something I have been largely without--in terms of my government, anyway,--for eight LONG years. And, my dear friends, eight years is a long time. As we've seen, a LOT of damage can be done in eight years time.

Even my home state of Indiana--a swing-state in this election--went with Obama. By a hair, but still. The Hoosier state has not gone blue since the '64 election. This is truly incredible.

When they called OHIO for Obama, I dialed my brother. Then I called my best friend, Carter--my dad--all my most important loved ones... We said stuff like, "I love you!" And, "Oh, my god, can you believe it?!...Seriously, can you effing believe this?!?..."
We still can't.

After that, I'll admit that I spent a good part of the evening letting loose the ol' waterworks. As I stated above--I did not anticipate this type of reaction. I mean, yes, I expected to feel happy--incredibly happy--if Obama won. But this, this feeling is just over the top. It feels as if we have somehow collectively arrived back to reality. I know that times ahead aren't going to be easy--what with the wars, the economy et all, but it really feels like there is a new consciousness today and that feels just beautiful.

My hope is that we are closer to a more equitable and generous culture now, one that inspires, one that encourages and engenders our BEST, most righteous selves, instead of pandering to those lowest common denominators--greed and fear. A culture that strives to embody its own ideals--not merely giving them lip service. I would like to think that we have arrived back at our default setting and I am ready for my country to be "of" me again--for it to live up to its promise.

I know we can.

It Won't Be Long Now...