New Nation

Some events have brightened my perspective in the past 24 hours.

I rode the subway yesterday next to an elderly Asian lady that smelled of mothballs. I assume she smelled that way to preserve her fur trim collar, but I digress. Across from us on our commute was this young female rocker complete with guitar in tow. She looked bummed, in a very cool rocker way. Little Rocker girl gets up to leave without taking the soda bottle she finished and Miss Mothball berated her, told made Little Rocker to take her trash with her. Little Rocker smiled sheepishly and did so.
For some reason this act of enforcing responsibility made me smile wide. I couldn't help myself.

My niece called me up to chat yesterday. This is the first time she has ever done so. She wanted to know what color my hair was, I told it was still blonde. She was a little disappointed. She would like it to be pink, and I am sorely tempted to oblige her. Because I adore her.

Today I am overwhelmed by the excitement seizing our nation for tomorrow's inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The beauty of it is making me cry, this president is bringing great things. It isn't even a matter of what he will or won't do, good luck really, there is no quick fix to the current world financial crisis. It is what he stands for: a symbol of hope- a black man in charge in a country who's history is plagued with slavery, racism, and prejudice. There can be no denying this fact as the record number of people journey to the capitol to see this history be made. It is in the celebration that rang through out the world when he won the election. He has brought us hope, in our dark hour he brings integrity, he brings commitment to making a change. I'd like to be able to say I do the same thing.
I haven't really contemplated this new presidency until this morning, when I watched a news report of the people gathering in Washington, D.C. I haven't allowed myself to fully take in the magnitude of what this means for all of us, all human hearts beating around the world. Even when the elections were upon us, I didn't want to get my hopes up and be disappointed by our government once again. Finally in this moment, I must admit that I too am flooded with hope and joy for what is transpiring tomorrow.
I find it truly amazing.