Friday, November 7, 2008

Change of Heart



The Sunday Scribblings prompt is “Change.”

I am euphoric! I am walking on air! When I saw that crowd - our rainbow race of multi-colored skins - go wild with joy to greet our bright young president-elect - a change happened inside of me. Let me explain.

When I was younger I was patriotic. I felt that I lived in the best country on earth. But through years that the U.S. government pursued arrogant policies of world domination and ill-conceived wars, that feeling eroded. I no longer swelled with pride at the sight of that star-spangled flag. And I felt the loss deeply, even as I worked to change my country in the direction that I wanted it to go.

Then Tuesday night happened. And a change happened in me. It was faith in the power of the American people to restore America, one person by one, to exercise the vote, to believe in democracy.

I voted for President Obama. I don’t know if he will fulfill my hopes, whether he will be a good president or a mediocre one. What I do know is that I saw the promise of change brought about by the work and dedication of the American people. And I was proud again to be an American. For too long I have not hung the stars and stripes because it was used by those who supported the war in Iraq. As we watched the glorious celebrations around the world on Tuesday night, I said to Otto, “Where is the American flag that we always used to put up on the fourth of July? I want to fly it again.”

On Wednesday I wrote and posted on my blog a new verse to “America, the Beautiful”.
I will quote it again here as I might quote another poet to illustrate my change of heart. (This explanation is to circumvent the admonition not to use an old post). Here it is:

O beautiful for rainbow race
for multicolored skin
for outside differences of face
Americans within.
America! America!
where every voice is heard.
We pledge to heed
each anxious need
with deed and work and word.

33 comments:

Maggie May said...

Well I also thought he was the best person to do the job.
Good for you!
Hope it works out really well.

myrtle beached whale said...

I share your hope that he does a good job. I am afraid that too many people voted for him just because he is sort of black and know nothing of his qualifications, background, character, or love of country.

Alisa Callos said...

I think there are a lot of us who are proud to be American again—for all of your reasons.

lilly said...

Change is happening everywhere!

Marcy said...

I agree with you Granny -- remaining in the mess that we've been in for the past 8 years was not an option. I too hope he will fulfill our hopes, but will not be discouraged if not all of his promises are kept. It's not an easy thing he is doing, and for all of the world happy to see him in power, I think he will be under intense scrutiny by the media and they will be more than happy (delirious would be a better word) to find him wanting on any level. Our country needs change so desperately and I believe with my whole heart that he is THE change.

myrtle beached whale said...

You are wrong Marcy. The liberal media will give him a complete pass on anything he does. They can blame it on the previous administration. By the way, keep in mind that the last 4 years of the previous mess were with a Democratic congress, who did nothing to help things.

Stan Ski said...

As an outsider (from UK), I just hope he really is the man for the job.

Lucy said...

go granny! love your enthusiasm!

Kamsin said...

My friend, who is actually only half-American and has lived most of her life here in Japan, said something very similar. Namely that she can be proud again to be an American and glad to have a connection to that nation.

linda may said...

G'Day Granny,
I have been waiting all week to see what teh american contingent from Sunday Scribblings had to say about the election and results. I like what you said. I reckon he is the bloke to change a world.

anthonynorth said...

The election was certainly marvellous, and it was an iconic moment, no doubt about that. My natural scepticism regqarding politicians is still there, but a piece of me hopes this will be it.
Regarding your earlier feelings about America, perhaps my thoughts may be interesting, as I'm a Brit still living in the UK.
When 9/11 happened, I think the world felt for America. Afghanistan WAS required, and no matter whether it is just a holding operation or not, there was a real reason for it.
Then came Iraq, and I personally felt that America had not only squandered the good will of the world, but had stamped on it! And my feelings for America changed.
It took until I began blogging to realise that America is its people, and its government. During the last eight years it is clear that, for the most part, the people felt exactly the same as me, and it is the government, not the people, to blame.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Your passion is palpable! So hope your dreams live again with your new president!

Linda Jacobs said...

I love your last verse! The word choices are perfect because they are just a little different and poetic enough to be memorable.

Excellent post!

Leslie Rubio said...

I can so relate to your feelings of being PROUD to be an American again! I have always loved my country but I have NOT always loved its policies.

Change is good and America did the right thing this election.

Let's come together, put FEAR away on the shelf and replace it with HOPE!

America The Beautiful once again!

Leslie

Lilibeth said...

Although I'm proud to be an American, I feel that this was the media's race. They won.

paisley said...

bravo granny!!! that verse was so cool...

i am not a politico by any stretch,, but i must say president elect obama is a charismatic man,, and a proud man,, and i feel that those two attributes will not only ensure he does everything within his power to save america fom herself,, (if even to just save his good name) and have a better rapport with the american people while he is working out his plan...

we have a long road ahead of us,, and change is never as easy as it sounds,, but our forefathers were tough,, we come from good stock,, and we have it in us to get tough,, and for the right reasons,, when we need to... i just hope we realize how desperately we need to now.....

anno said...

Hopeful. Oh, yes -- me, too!

murat11 said...

Happy happy daze, Granny Smith. How wonderful to care again and feel like the caring matters again. Eight years of necro-politics was damned rough.

Roan said...

Well said.

Unknown said...

Great post, Granny! I, too, have optimism for the future.

Rosey said...

There has been so much about this in the UK media you'd think it was our election. But I guess what happens with you guys effects the rest of the world, so I wish you well.

Keith's Ramblings said...

It's been really fascinating watching this from across the pond. Right choice? I don't know but then I'm too far away to get a real feeling for the situation. But your piece is so persuasive and your enthusiasm really infectious! It must be right.

Robin said...

What a tremendous time to be American, to be proud again. At long last.

Now it's up to us to step forward and continue to do our share.

rp605 said...

I live in the UK and it is amazing to see the posts of hope and happiness posted over hundreds of blogs. I think there is a lot of pressure on Obama, and I really don't know much about the politics etc. But it is definitely a turning point and I am happy that it has happened.
~mspennylane

nonizamboni said...

I'm glad you have regained some hope, Phyllis. Lovely post that sums up so much of what I saw happening too. Personally, I still haven't quite come down out of the clouds :O)
Happy week, dear friend.
xxxx

Anonymous said...

A wonderful post- your hope shines through! I was proud to be her to witness this amazing moment in history. Now the hard work begins though....I believe he is the right man for the job but know it won't be an easy one at all.

I enjoy your writing so much- I'm glad to be back!

Mine is up too at my old Blogspot home:
http://bellamocha.blogspot.com/2008/11/sunday-scribblings-change.html

bella :)

Andy Sewina said...

I like the way you see change as bringing hope and the uncertainty that comes with that. I hope this change works for you.

Alone on the Isle said...

Reading your piece made me even happier to be an American today; you captured your feeling beautifully!!

danni said...

i love your optimism --- it reminds how over the moon my grandparent's generation were when jfk got the nod - i'm feeling some of that same energy in the air as i see the history marry the pragmatism --- i sure hope he can be up for all that is expected from him - tough job for a young lad!!!

Unknown said...

This post was beautiful. You inspire me! Truly! Truly inspire!

Miss Alister said...

I could say ditto to what you felt. I’d lost almost all hope. I’d lost faith in the American people to be able to steer clear of more of the same bad representation. I didn’t allow myself to breathe free until I heard it was a done deal. And I’m still waking up day by day to the reality of this momentous happening.
missalister

Tanya Gwen Minnick said...

AS a Canadian I feel I dont have much room to speak of USA politics, however I am happy to see and hear that he won the election. I hope change happens for your country.
Your words are beautiful!
be well
t

Christy Woolum said...

I am glad I have found time to get back and visit some blogs. I agree with you on this post. I also feel hope. It is the first time my students have discussed politics or an election in a couple of years. I too feel proud to display my flag. I love your verse for America the Beautiful.