Emerson was dropped off early this afternoon so her grandparents could go vote, which meant that I knocked off work early as well. Not that I was getting much done. Having gotten my essential work done this morning, I was full of nervous energy, my minding wandering in anticipation of a night of election watching.
We played together and were joined by momma in short time. Together we go to the back yard and enjoy the idyllic temperatures that this early November evening offered. Mom and Emerson went to deliver a gift we had gotten for a neighbor in need, while I sat on the hill in the back of house alone. It was quiet and still. The sun had set but light had not yet been hidden. I enjoyed the moment, I looked at the brick red leaves of our fledgling crape mrytle silhouetted against a custard colored sky. And I experienced a wave of contentment and hope. Blessed by a family I adore and can't imagine life without, surrounded by a growing number of friends that I love, who challenge me and garner my respect, buoyed by what might could happen in business, in politics, in life, I felt whole. A feeling that I rarely get to experience.
Tonight, I watched what I didn't think I would see in my lifetime. I witnessed the promise of America and was overwhelmed. Just as President-Elect Obama was beginning his speech, Emerson began to cry. Mom went and got her and the three of us sat on the couch in silence and witnessed history.
Just 60 years ago, Obama would not have been able to dine in the same area as I or drink from the same water fountain. It wasn't long ago that he would have even been able to vote, but there he stood. Speaking not of division but of unity, not of war but of working together for peace. There he spoke, elected by a majority of American's and in one night, I felt that this country was able to restore much of its reputation that we have so undermined these last eight years. I am not naive enough to think that our great challenges have been solved or that difficult days won't lie ahead, but tonight I was filled with hope that my daughter will have the opportunity to grow up in a world where people are truly judged by their character not their skin. And that alone is worth it for me.
The sun set this afternoon in the most pleasant of ways and tomorrow I will wake up to a new one. New in more ways that I think I could ever imagine.
