Dear Jesse and Annie,
Many years from now, your therapist might suggest you unearth the past as it exists in cyberspace and read the ramblings of your mother. First- let me apologize for the damage that knowing I once got hot and sweaty for Barry Gibb may cause you. Second- it was Daddy's decision to put the cat down: not me. And finally: yes-this is what I was doing on the computer every time I told you I had VERY IMPORTANT work to do, and ok...that stuff in my glass was not apple juice that had turned.
Today is a big day in history.
Last night, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of These United States.
Jesse-you came into our bed in the middle of the night as you do every night, and you sleepily asked who had won, and when Daddy told you you were all like: "WOO-HOO, first the Phillies and now THIS. I can pretty much get anything I wish for!" And then you asked where I had put your Christmas list because you wanted to add a BB gun.
Annie- I told you this morning that Obama had won, and added that YOU could grow up and be President too! You said you would really rather be that lady that takes care of the kittens at PetCo.
I fell asleep last night flipping channels between election results and whatever else was on. Which happened to be a show on the food channel about eating ant larvae. They say it is crunchy and gooshy at the same time: a textural delicacy.
This is a happy day on so many levels. It is a day I feel like I could hug complete strangers. It is a day I believe that the electorial system in our country actually can serve the people--if the people turn out. It is a day when I am happy for all people of color-especially those whose ancestors built this country on the backs of their slave labor. It is a day ripe with HOPE. It is a day when many of us got in line behind a good man who promised us that together we could create change.
I celebrate this day because I think this man will help make this world a better place for YOU. I hope when you read this note that there is peace, and polar bears, universal health care, and that Uncle Robert got to marry his boyfriend.
I am at a loss to fully describe what this day means. I will let my cyber friends say it better in the comments section below.
I promise I will write again in four or eight years, when a woman is elected.
Love you with all my heart,
Mommy
18 comments:
This is wonderful. Know what I was doing when the announcement was made?Eating cheerios! I've got to come up with something better than that!
Great letter. And don't spread that "it wasn't apple juice" around. OK? Let us hope we see a woman in 4 or 8 years. A competent, smart, strong, brave woman - not just any chick in a skirt. And let's pray Obama can do all we think he can - and that we have the sense to let him.
And what was I doing when it was announced? Blogging, of course.
"It was Daddy's idea to put the cat down" made me laugh so hard.
Great letter Lorrie! I wish I had something poetic to add here, but I don't. Maybe if I got myself a glass of "bad apple juice" I could come up with something.
So much hope... for the first time in a LONG time.
Great letter.
wait, wait, wait. What did you do with Barry Gibb? Was it illegal in at least three states? Should it be?
Who's Barry Gibb?
Just kidding! (I Googled him...)
Hilarious about your mom's crush on Barry Gibb. When they made the announcement about Obama, I was in Grant Park with my boyfriend in Chi Town.
After we heard Obama won, my boyfriend surprised me with a gorgeous diamond engagement ring from www.idonowidont.com so it was kind of a overwhelming night!
I know exactly what you mean about feeling like hugging strangers. I've been high-fiving people all day, grinning like a fool.
When I heard the election results, I was wiggling into the left leg of my pantyhose. The endorphin rush that followed made the rest of the pantyhose-wiggling-into process virtually painless - THAT's what kind of day I'm having. And I am not even American.
Very happy and inspired. And 65% less afraid to move to the States next year :-D
Wonderful letter Lorrie Dear. My effort is so lame compared to yours. I stuck a picture of His Majesty on my blog with a link to The Dixie Chicks singing "Landslide". I think all the champagne we drank last night seriously impacted my creativity today.
I am so proud of this country I could hug everyone, too. I almost hugged my awful boss, who is one of only 2 other people in my office who (openly anyway) supports Obama. That's how happy I am because normally I don't get within spitting distance of him and he's so creepy it would be like hugging Jeffrey Dahmer. But I digress.
Today I heart everyone and if you like The Dixie Chicks or just want to listen to "Landslide" and think about how Saracuda is standing in line right now in the Returns Department of Saks and Neiman's, go have a listen.
YES WE CAN AND YES WE DID!!!
Beautifully written, Lorrie! I'm just happy that we can finally move on with our lives since this election is over. And I do hope that our future president can do everything that he has promised, although I think that many people will be extremely disappointed when they don't start receiving checks in the mail and experience sudden world peace.
I hate to be a party pooper, but the man is a politician and I have an innate distrust for politicians. Regardless of the color of their skin, their age, sex, or what party they "represent".
stop making me tear up Lorrie - iit's only 8am here and I have to do the school run ...
The hope is here too - we are happy - lets hope the big BO has the spport of his fellow pollies to now deliver.
God bless America - le xoxoxoo
stop making me tear up Lorrie - iit's only 8am here and I have to do the school run ...
The hope is here too - we are happy - lets hope the big BO has the spport of his fellow pollies to now deliver.
God bless America - le xoxoxoo
Was an amazing experience to walk from 42nd st to 57nd st over Broadway
a magic bliss was above and around...
Smiling faces people talking more than usual...
I truly hope last for a looooong time
WE NEED THAT!!!
( by the way: I cry a lot. Happy emotional tears )
Thanks for your feedback
LV
A very kidlike thing to add, when the news was showing Obama in the voting booth, M2 said "do you think he is voting for himself or McCain?"
Thank you thank you, I love it! You definitely pegged me.
I think I'll always remember what I was doing when I heard that Barack Obama was elected 44th president of the USA.
I'm such a great big cry baby. This made me boo-hoo and I hadn't even gotten to the boo-hoo part when I did. I love your kids' names. So incredibly American and sweet and classy all at the same time. You said it all so well - the first time since 9-11 and the Oklahoma bombing that I wanted to hug strangers. That's the connection I couldn't make in my blog. Great one, Lorrie.
OMG I haven't thought of Barry Gibb in YEARS!!! My crush was Sean Cassidy. mmmm yummy.
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