Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sometimes
Sometimes things don't go, after all,
from bad to worse...
A people sometimes will step back from war,
elect an honest man, decide they care
enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.
-From the poem 'Sometimes' by Sheenagh Pugh
Spouse and I awoke this morning having experienced a rare and uncharacteristic late night, and an evening like no other. During those seconds in which the mind races and attempts to catch up with the eyelids, we remembered: despite all of our recent worries and tension and anguish, we were waking, beyond all our expectation, to good news.
Spouse and I, then, were the lucky ones. We were lucky because others opened their day with pain and concern, tasting defeat. Having envisioned exactly that scenario for both of us, and having wondered relentlessly how we would cope, I understood the despair that must have been overwhelming as the day broke. We were the lucky ones, seeing the world with glad eyes when it might have been otherwise- when it has, in fact, been that way for us before. We had become all too familiar in recent times with the crushing grief of loss and dashed possibilities.
There are so many like Spouse and I, who yesterday got what we were hoping for. But I consider that today we are all fortunate, in the United States and all over the world; and time, the great healer and testament, will prove that to be true.
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9 comments:
Those are wise and understanding words. I think most of us who are tired yet ecstatic today don't really try to put ourselves in the opposition's shoes. I hope they can see the goodness that this change can bring all of us, not just for those who finally feel vindicated.
Tangobaby, I hope they can too, because it's a good feeling. We want everyone to share in it.
"tired yet ecstatic" sums it up perfectly. I feel like the weight of a hundred bricks and eight years has been taken off me. So much rested on this, and we can judge that by how the rest of the world reacted today- their opinions matter a great deal, in terms of confidence and respect in this country. I wish everyone could see how essential that is, to have good standing in the world.
I'm sure that one of the darkest eras in American history is coming to a close, and Spouse and I have done enough research, thinking and careful analysing to determine that :)
Exhausted, is what I am...
As much as we wish everyone could feel the way we do (hopeful, relieved), it's up to them to examine some of the beliefs and motivations that keep them separate. Hopefully they can try to see the bigger picture. If not, we cannot wait for them to come around.
Eight years and the destruction of a country's assets, people and good will is too much already.
Get some rest now. You have a lot to look forward to so you need to sleep!
xoxo
Well said. I think there are a lot of smart people with vision in charge now. It is truly a relief.
whew!!!
thanks for the thoughtful post!
I expect however, that in the long run, even the 'unlucky' ones will be lucky with the outcome!
we just have to remember that things take time and WORK!
I, for one, am thrilled with the outcome of the election.
As mouse said, changes will take time and work. Most will be impatient with that reality.
Oh, I so agree! The concession speech McCain gave indicated that he, at least, understands what's important now. I stayed up past 9 PM for the first time in about 30 years, just to hear the acceptance speech. Let's hope we can pull together as nation and work for the good of all. Your beginning quote is so perfect for now.
Tangobaby, you're right- I can only hope that they achieve some acceptance and move on with the rest of us. One of the things I most loathed about the campaign was the continual idea of "us" versus "them"- it never works to anyone's betterment. We all want the same thing when it comes down to it- a thriving, well-respected country.
Beth, oh, the relief- we don't know how things are going to be, but the alternative was certainly too much to bear, and most people knew that.
Kimy, I think so, too, that no changes will happen overnight- but in time we'll see that people made the right choice.
Paul, I hope that most people are realistic, and understand about the time and work needed before the damage can be undone and good things start to happen for us again. However long it takes, I have no doubt that we did the right thing on Tuesday.
Pauline, you got in there while I was typing slowly ;)
Absolutely, the concession speech told us what we needed to hear- that it's time to move on and get to work.
Spouse and I stayed up until 1 am, not normal for us at all, but it could be no other way. A momentous occasion.
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