Yesterday morning, I woke up at 5:40AM. I bundled up and headed outside into the dark and quiet streets. As I hurried along along to meet my walking partner, the air was eerily warm, and leaves swirled about in the wind. It would have been a perfect setting for a Halloween evening, but the feelings it evoked didn't mark one of fear. Instead, I realized that the feelings in the air was one of change. Significant change. I knew snow usually always followed such warm weather, and I anticipated it to snow throughout the day; imagining all the white-covered cars as people drove to precincts to participate in the Election. Both snow and voting --two changes on the same day.
But the snow didn't come yesterday.
This morning, I again woke at 5:40AM. I bundled up and headed outside, and was delightfully surprised to be greeted by a soft powder blanketing the city. I had been complaining about cold weather ever since we moved back from California, but running/walking with snow gently pelting us, I realized how much I love the first snow-fall of the year. I wondered at the significance of such change in the landscape when such monumental change was occurring all across our Nation. I found it ironic that the words of Barack Obama, the man I didn't want to be President in the first place, permeated my mind and reminded me that change was going to come. I was grateful that the change came about through a Free Election, where the people's voices were heard. Where we are not suppressed for our feelings and ideas --where anyone can vote their conscience without fear. I was humbled to know that the first African American President had been elected, and quite honestly, I was thrilled at being a part of such a historic event, even though I didn't vote for him. I may not agree with Obama's ideas or policies (in fact, they make me very nervous), but I do respect the man and the office he now holds. If you read my post yesterday, you'll also know I'm hoping he'll make me a believer.
**Florida and Arizona passed their Propositions to prohibit SSM, and I waited on pins and needles to see how California would go...
...and it looks like it passed. I would be lying if I didn't say I was relieved. Very relieved, indeed!
Conversations around our house this morning:
me: Kids, we have a new President!
#1: Who won?
me: Obama.
#2: Did you want Obama to win?
me: No. But it's okay. That's what's great about our country; we don't angry when the other guy wins.
#1: Who is Obama?
me: Wanna see a picture?
[I show them some pictures via Google Images]
me: Isn't he handsome?
#1 and #2: Yes! He's very handsome.
#1: What did the other guy look like?
[I show them pictures of McCain]
#2: Huh.
[Trying not to laugh]
me: Anyway, I hope Obama will be a good President.
#2: But you didn't want him to win.
me: I know, but now he's the President and so now we get to pray for him so he'll make good choices.
#1: Yeah. That's a good idea.
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me: #3, we have a new President of our country! His name is Barack Obama and he's the President now!
#3: I like snow. I wanna make a snowball!
me: Okay, then.
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me: The President stays President for at least Four Years.
#2: Mom? What happens if the President of our country dies?
me: Well, we hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, the Vice President steps in to be President, and in this case, it would be Joe Biden.
#2: President Monson will be the Prophet until he dies! Not four years.
me: Yes, but that's because it's different. President Obama is the President of our country --just the United States of America. President Monson is the Prophet for the whole world; he speaks for the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all over the world, not just in our country. President Obama doesn't run other countries; just ours.
#2: Yep, the whole world!
me: The whole world.
15 comments:
I love kids' views of things. It's been pretty wild this time around to have a teenager and discuss issues with him. He's totally bummed that he won't be quite old enough to vote during the next presidential election.
Ahhhh, you're such a good mom. Maybe I should teach my little half-breeds a bit about the election...and the one up north!
I had an interesting conversation with my mom, who lives in California, about Prop 8 passing or not (they're not quite calling it yet over there). She made the point that Heavenly Father isn't waiting on pins and needles to see if it passes or not, wondering what the fate of His world will be. He already knows what will happen, and He knew before the election. If Prop 8 doesn't pass, He knew that when he asked church members to campaign for it. He would not ask us to campaign because he knew it would fail and hoped we could change that inevitable future, it just doesn't work like that. If He knew it would fail, this would be a test of faith, whether we were willing to follow the prophets commandments. And if it passes, then He knew that this was an important part of our time on this earth, and, well, it would probably be a test of faith then too, it just always seems to be. My mom's mindset was really just, if it passes, woohoo, if not, oh well. For her, it was hard to go pass out flyers and wave signs when she knew that by doing so she was hurting a lot of good people, and making them feel unloved. However, in her words, she was just too afraid of going to Hell to not do it, and Heavenly Father would just have to take care of those other people.
I really like your platform of hope, Cheryl! I can only hope that the rest of the country shares that same sentiment so we can move forward as a nation and begin to repair whats wrong and get things right again. I really loved McCain consession speach, and it reminded me of how he was back when he was running in the Primaries against Bush. I wish he had been more like that during this election, but maybe his campaign managers that since he lost back then he should be more tough, I don't know. But I like the old McCain and it was nice to see him back to his old self again.
I feel like I could go on and on, I've got a lot more to say, but I've already written a lot, and it's occuring to me that I'm feeling so wordy because I'm taking a break from Primary stuff and I just don't want to get back to it. So I'll just leave it at that before my procrastrinating takes over your blog....
What a POSITIVE HOPEFUL way to look at things and I know I will come around to that additude once I pray. I woke up feeling a little heart sick. I know change brings growth but some of our new President's plans scare me!
But I also know ultimately the World is in God's hands and I totally trust Him and as long as I follow Him no matter the outcome I will be okay!
I really enjoy your blog! Especially during the election when I discovered it! I thought you were eleoquent in your "edit orials"! Keep up the good work!
Wild Girl's friend and relative
Wendy
I couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement last night. To see so many so joyful and united in a nation that has become so cynical (including me) was very heartening. I'm hoping for the best, which is what I do every time we elect a new president.
I feel much the same way. My kids and I were talking about it in the car today, and my kindergartner calls the new president "Brock Obrama". Close enough.
I don't know if this is good or not, but Don (who is marginally conservative) was going to vote for McCain, but when he got to the voting booth and saw the names, he just felt that he needed to go the other way. He knew it was historic and it meant something. So, he voted Obama. I have a feeling others felt the same way. I purposefully did not watch much of the campaign, because for us East Coaster Time Zoners, I would have to wait until Midnight! But, I was up then anyway, so I caught the last part of Obama's speech and you can be proud of him. Hearing the radio today, it is all a twitter with people who are saying how healing it is. It meant something to a lot of people and I think that is good. I agree...let's pray for good decisions.
Also, as an aside. I looked at CNN this morning and it had a biline of Prop 8 not passing according to exit poles. Then I checked the local news for the area and it showed a 54% lead in the Yes. Goes to show you....you can't count on exit poles and it really is the vote that counts. I think a lot of people were silent supporters on that one.
I am so happy to hear your thoughts -- if we'll all unite and support this man, we can do great things. And I am so happy I voted the way I did.
Race had not entered my mind in this election, but WOW, seeing the kids in these traditionally black colleges with tears on their cheeks saying that now they really can tell their kids they can be anything just got to me.
And President Elect Obama's message that we can all give a little more to make our country great is inspiring.
Oh, and my kids have been as obsessed as Stanton & I about this whole election. Even little barely 2 year old Brigham knows Barack Obama and John McCain by sight.
They were excited to hear how it all turned out this morning.
And one final thing -- I was so impressed by John McCain's concession speech. It's one of the first times in this general election that I've felt an air of sincerity from him. It was an excellent speech and I really do hope we all recognize that Barack Obama is OUR president -- not just of those who voted for him. That was a great moment in his speech last night.
Great post, Cheryl. My kids voted in a mock election yesterday and my daughter very proudly voted for Obama. She was thrilled when we told her this morning that he won.
I'm feeling very hopeful, a lot nervous, disappointed and excited all into one.
By the way, I'm so jealous of your snow! My mom told me about it, and I have been wishing I could have a look. Take a picture for me, okay?
Two things:
1. Does anyone else wish both men, Obama and McCain, could have acted as they did last night during the entire campaign season? Both clearly were devoted politicians and Americans who wanted nothing more than to do their best to sreve their country. It's sad that as a society we crave scandel and drama, to the point where candidates have no choice but to lower themselves to highschool bickering because that's the only way to get America's attention. I hope we can all change this in the future...
2. Cheryl, I'm totally impressed that with all the snow, you still went walking!!! You go, girl!!! I thought that this morning when I was making my first comment, but I got all rambling and forgot to get around to telling you that you are supergirl. That comment alone is motivating me to get tomorrow morning and get my butt moving again.
I hope he does a good job, that's all I have to say. I will pray for him though because the President of the United States deserves respect and honor.
Oh and those conversations were awesome. I loved them.
Lizzie-
I'm like the mailmen. I walk in snow. :)
And yes! I wish they had acted like that throughout the entire election. Why can't people just be nice all the time when discussing difference? Oh, right, I forgot. We're mortal. And stupid Satan.
Amanda-
It's gone, now, though. The snow. So, no reason to be jealous!
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