Silly Mom Thoughts

First of all, about last night’s election, can I just say “WOW?”

I sat on my couch, absolutely awe struck by the elation, frustration, disappointment, and sheer excitement that I saw played out on my TV screen last night. I have watched a few elections in my day, but none of them were as super-charged as this. And rightfully so! Our first black president? Neat-o.

I must admit, I was on the edge of my seat when they announced that Obama would make an appearance at any moment. The cameras panned over the hundreds of thousands of celebrating people gathered in that Illinois park. I saw the raw emotion coming from people of every race. In the back of my mind, I worried that some psycho lunatic would go crazy and start shooting up the place. I know, not a nice thought to have at all, but it has happened before, hasn’t it?

I was the most concerned when the announcer said, “Please welcome the next first family of the United States.” This was when the mom in me came out.

Woah, they’re going to bring out his kids too? I thought, heart beginning to race. It was then, I prayed.

God, please don’t let some crazy person be there right now. Please keep the Obama family safe.

I watched as Obama, holding his daughter Sasha’s hand, walked on stage. Michelle Obama and oldest daughter Malia walked close behind.

Please keep them safe, I continued, and then, Goodness, Obama’s girls are adorable.

I was on edge the entire time the Obama family was on stage. Finally, I breathed a sigh of relief when Michelle escorted the girls offstage and Obama was left to give his acceptance speech.

Regarding Obama’s acceptance speech… I was a little disappointed. I can only imagine how exhausted Obama must have been, and maybe even a little in shock at the situation, but honestly I was hoping for a little more fire from him. A little more oomph. I must say, though, I would not want to be in Obama’s shoes. He is holding on his shoulders people of all races, representing them and speaking for them, much more so than any other president who has come before him. That is enough pressure to make me wanna crawl in a hole and suck my thumb for a week.

There were three parts of Obama’s acceptance speech that did stick with me though. The first, about the unity of our country, and how we are so much more than a nation divided:

“It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.”

Woo, I have shivers just reading that. The next thing that inspired me was how he came to this point, to winning the election, despite the fact that he was never expected to do so:

“I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements.  Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.”

Finally, I had to give a silent, “You go, Obama” when he said this:

“Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long… And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.”

I don’t personally believe that Obama winning the election means that the world is automatically a better place. I don’t believe it will end racism. I do, however, believe that it is one step. One step toward accepting people for who they are and what they can do, not for what they look like. I am so proud to be an American today, after hearing all of the statistics about record numbers of voters coming out to make their voice heard. I am proud to raise my children in a country where you don’t have to come from a rich political background to become president; you don’t have to be a nasally old white guy to live in the White House. I’m excited for what is yet to come.

Don’t let me down, Obama, I have high hopes.