There's no way of sugarcoating it: I've been feeling pretty bad lately. A case of the post-trip letdown, I guess.Part of the problem was that parts of the presidential campaign had taken a turn I did not agree with. I was disappointed. And I was really, really tired of robo calls and television ads and circulars and flyers that hit my mailbox in a barrage.
I did not have the heart to visit my own blog, let alone anyone else's site. For that I apologize. I made a wonderful dessert, wrote a post, took a photo and refused to upload it.
I was dispirited.
All that changed Tuesday night when the election ended. We had a gracious speech from a candidate who defended his opponent in what was perhaps his finest moment on the campaign trail. We had an uplifting speech from the candidate who emerged victorious. We had faces of joy and hope and every color and every background gathered together in one place: Grant Park.
What a contrast to 40 years ago! The words "The whole world is watching" kept echoing through my brain. In 1968, Grant Park was the scene of violent riots at the Democratic Convention. Now it was the scene of victory.
The whole world is watching. We have overcome. Yes, we can.
It doesn't matter which party's ideology you adhere to, it really doesn't. What matters is that we have had a shining moment, and we may - if all goes well - have a brighter future. I'm not talking about the economy, but I am talking about the idea of cohesiveness, of working together for a greater good. Our shining moment must transcend party lines and ideological differences. And racial barriers.
I hope we move forward in a bipartisan manner. Because the whole world is watching now.
My husband and I are longtime media junkies. I started out as a reporter, and specialized in politics for a time, on both a local and national level. He started out as a photographer. That's how we met. We stay up late every election night. We suffer a letdown after Election Day, no matter which candidate wins.
This year, the letdown began before the election. Every night we would come home to 5-6 robo calls and an equal number of campaign mailers. Enough! Let's move on now.
And the photo? It was taken five weeks ago in Paris. I thought it had a celebratory look to it. As I said, no matter how you voted, we can all celebrate the removal of a barrier.
12 comments:
So well written and said Mimi!
I saw your comment over at Terri's and I just wanted to say "HELLO"!! This was such an amazing election..So moving in every way. I wept and wept and wept, with Joy and for all those who had fought so hard and so many who died, so that we might see this day!
LOVE that picture! Yum, Yum!
Thanks, Tanna.
Welcome, OOLOTH! Yes, it was a good night, and yes, it was moving in every way. I hope the administration will truly build bridges and forge new relationships. I want to see some bipartisan partnerships!
Mimi, I appreciate your thoughts on the election and when Obama was speaking in Grant Park I had tears in my eyes, what an uplifting experience it was! And a very gracious concession speech as well and a moving acceptance speech for many, how inspiring it all was!
So many of us teared up Tuesday, Eileen; what a wonderful, emotional occasion. I hope the new president follows through with his promises.
When I saw everyone up there on stage after Obama's speech and saw how the ethnic/racial blend it was almost too much. And it reminded me to order photos from the family wedding we went to two months ago. My husband's family is a blended one and I am very proud of that.
Mimi, you always write the words that I am thinking! Tuesday was an amazing night--I, too was teary-eyed and frankly, flabbergasted! I am inspired to be a better person.
Wow--what a blast from the past--"the whole world is watching"--I try to play that song every Aug 29. It was so right that the speech was made in Grant Park.
As for your robo-calls...that's life in a "battleground" state! Here in CA, no one cares about us!
I was in Chicago at Grant Park just a couple of months ago now. Seeing history taking place there the other night was a wonderful experience for me.
It's definitely a "season of gratitude" for America, as well as a lot of interested onlookers outside of your borders.
We've all been moved to tears. Such an amazing moment - not only for us, but for the world. Simply amazing how much hope this brings to people all over the globe! If we can fulfill even a THIRD of the promises - a quarter of them! - then we will be doing a great thing as a nation.
Maryruth, Do you suppose Obama realized the irony, too? He was just a kid then. So were we...
The robo calls gave me a chance to hang up on callers, LOL.
Fiona, on my first visit to Chicago as a child, we stayed in a hotel that over looked Grant Park. Lovely! Both my husband and I spent a lot of time in Chicago when we were growing up, and a lot of time there when we were younger. We have been planning a weekend there next year, and now that its the president's hometown in has a special cachet.
Yes, Toni, I agree. There is always a way to bring the promises to fruition. It will be interesting to see what happens with the House and Senate. I prefer a bit more balance, as it makes for better conversation leading up to votes and decisions.
All in all, as an American history major, I am fascinated with the whole process and its results.
Well said, Mimi!
Hi Mimi, I love your picture. I hope our new president does what he say he will. There is hope in the future. Your post is so well written as usual.
Mary and Judy, thank you for the kind words.
My heart leaps when I think of how far we have come since my childhood.
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