I’m still kind of at a loss for words other than ‘wow.’
I doubt I’ll ever forget the moment they called Ohio, and we knew it was all over as soon as the west coast polls closed. We ate the cupcakes we’d been saving for the first state to flip after we finished cheering and jumping around.
Watching the returns come in, the country slowly turning blue, reminded me of the scene in Lord of the Rings when the Ents destroyed the dam on the Isen, and the water flowed down into Isengard washing away the monstrosity of warmongering and environmental destruction that Saruman had wrought. There was still a lot to do, battles to be fought and rings to be destroyed, but you could tell things were changing.
Everything yesterday was the same. Kids to teach, dishes to do, dogs to feed, and errands to run. But I caught myself grinning like a fool when I heard the words on the radio or saw a newspaper.
President-elect Obama.
Finally, on Tuesday, the good guys won, and though everything is the same, it’s a bit different too.
I feel like our country answered to the better angels of its nature in electing someone competent, smart, and decent. A combination that’s been missing too long.
My dad has said several times this year that he hasn’t felt this way about voting since 1960. For me, this was the first time I was able to vote for a politician in whom I truly believed.
It felt good and for once I feel a little less cynical about politics than I always have. I hope Obama exceeds expectations, but his work will certainly be cut out for him. There is much to do. Many wrongs to right.
Still, for the first time in a very long time, I suddenly feel good about where our country can go. It won’t be easy and it won’t be perfect, but it’s a start and it feels good.
Once again, I feel optimistic about our government.
It’s about damn time.
Hope.
President-elect Obama nailed that one.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
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