Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I Cried

I had no idea I'd cry so much tonight.  
I cried when I realized it was possible.  
I cried when the networks projected a winner.  

I cried when John McCain spoke. 
So eloquent.  
So gracious.  
So classy.  
I hurt for him.  
He truly is a hero who has sacrificed more 
than I ever knew I had.

I cried when I saw Barack Obama speak to more than 
a million people.  
I cried because I was happy.  
I cried because I was scared.  
I cried because I was relieved.  

I cried because our country has taken another step.  
A step toward growing up.  
When Geraldine Ferraro said in 1984 that 
"America is the land where dreams can come true for all of us," 
it wasn't really true.  
I cried tonight because now it is, 
or at least we're a lot closer to where that is.  

I cried because the hope is so big 
it feels like it's going to burst through my chest.  
The hope that we can be respected again in the world.  
The hope that we can have peace.  
The hope that we can all just get along and be proud Americans, 
no matter what our beliefs or philosophies.  
The hope that we can have differing opinions 
but still respect each other and work together.  

I cried when Barack Obama talked about his grandmother.  
I miss mine, 
and I know how it feels to have wonderful things happen 
and to wish the people you love the most were 
there by your side.

I cried because I'm proud.  
I'm proud to be an American.
I'm grateful to live in a country where I have the right
to speak
to teach
to debate
to vote
to dream

to hope.

Hope and gratitude.
Important words in my life.
I'm so filled to the brim, they spilled out.

I cried.

3 comments:

  1. That was excellent Tina! (It would have been even better if it were Bob Barr giving the acceptance speech, but hey, I can't have it all.)

    ReplyDelete

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