A Dream Come True

I am still weeping tears of joy after Obama's win.  This is the most anxious time I remember passing and preparing for a presidential election.  Frankly, I was never politically motivated.  At least, not until Sept. 11, 2001.  On that day, when I arrived home after a tough day at school hoping my students' parents did not get hurt, I was first stunned by the visual images of the planes hitting the towers.  Then I was ready to talk to the terrorists about what it was that America could do to be well-regarded in the world.  I was furious with our leaders because I knew we would be going to war and I did not want to.  As time passed, it only got worse.  Good riddance to the decider.

As I watched the reactions around the country last night, I saw many crying tears of joy like me. Some had a more historical perspective.  They recognized and reacted to the importance of a country voting for a black man.  For me, this election was never about race.  I don't believe it played so large a role in the outcome, either.  Nevertheless, I am awed by the outcome.

When I watched Obama speak on the news this morning, Tyler asked why I was crying.  How to tell a nine year old that 45 years ago blacks were not able to vote in the south.  Obama's win is the dream Martin Luther King, Jr. was talking about.  The deferred dream that Langston Hughes wrote of.  So, here we are on a new shore.  there is much to be done.  This country is a mess.  But I have faith like I haven't before.  I feel like I can trust the president-elect to lead this country into safety.  I feel hope.  And joy.

The nightmare is over.  A dream has come true.