WHAT I LEARNED IN SCHOOL TODAY

For our homeschool lessons today we watched the Presidential Inauguration along with as much other media coverage as we could fit in. I've been looking forward to this day since November and even though we didn't have our DVR, or many alternate channels to watch, we still managed to be a part of the stuff that really mattered. Although I certainly did vote in this election, and I certainly did have a candidate I wanted more than the other, I have just been excited to be a part of this monumental time in our Country's History. We would have been glued to the t.v. this morning no matter who was being sworn in. Encouraging my kids to be interested in our political processes and our unique system of government is one of the responsibilities I have as a homeschooler (along with teaching sex ed., ugh!). It is our freedom to choose that allows us to homeschool. But, as it turned out, not only were we able to witness the change of power from one President to the Next, we were also able to witness one of the great moments in time. I think I was eight or nine years old when I became aware of Human Rights issues. I remember hearing rumblings from the adults around me, and then from classmates or friends who were also hearing things, over certain issues at that time. I still have pretty vivid memories of my feelings and thoughts about how I was supposed to think that some people were not as "special" or were not equals to me. The aftertaste is still bitter. It was also the time in my education where I was really learning about U.S. History, The Declaration of Independence, The Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and The Gettysburg Address. I couldn't make it all work in my mind. Woe is the nine year old child facing a major moral dilemma! I just love ya all! So the little hippie in me (I was born in the 1960s, barely, but still...) was just the teensiest bit excited about the declaration we all just made as Americans today. LOVE, love, love. Keep the love a comin'!

I thought the Inauguration was beautiful, yet "real," with the couple of human blunders and what looked like freezing weather conditions. I really noticed this time how much emphasis is placed upon the fact that leadership is passed PEACEFULLY from one president to another, and the fact that this is still a way that WE are a good example to many other countries of the World. I loved looking at so many smiling faces today! I don't care how simple it sounds that I believe smiling is a step toward healing what ails us. I also don't care how silly it might seem that I actually felt a tangible air of hope today emanating from what must have been millions of people worldwide. And I felt a renewed sense of ownership in our great Country. We do have a new leader, who seems to be doing a great job so far of inspiring people to new hope and action. I thought it was right of President Obama to put an equal share of the responsibility back on all of us to make things better. I was impressed by Vice President Cheney, tough old goat, making the ceremony, even while in what I know from experience is terrible pain. Jeff has had back and disk injuries before and it is NOT pretty. No telling how much Vicodin and muscle relaxers it took to get him there... probably the real reason for the wheel chair :). I also learned today that what the First Lady wears is almost as important as what The President says at these things. If you could've seen the ensemble I had on today, you would've been sure that I could never be First Lady material.

Today I basked in the feelings of hope and anticipation. Tomorrow, who knows. Aw who am I kidding?! Tomorrow I'll still be feeling it!

GROWING PAINS

Can you feel them too? There's electricity in the air tonight... some of it fueled by excitement and hope, some by fear and dread. Either way, it's thick, tangible, and fully charged.

I liked things about both candidates this time around. I read and re-read their platforms and watched their rallies and debates when I had time (usually at the gym while walking on the treadmill) and I have to admit I was captivated by Obama's public speaking skills and compassionate demeanor. But we don't want to cast our vote based on emotional response alone, now do we? So I studied both sides and for the first time ever, really looked at who I thought was willing to tackle the issues that are most important to me. I didn't vote this year based on party bias, or on sheer emotion. I didn't let fear of certain alleged outcomes drive my decision either. And once I made my choice, and because I had really looked at what was good about both candidates, for the first time ever I was able to cast my vote and then finish the day without a shred of anxiety about the outcome. I felt like whoever was needed most by our bruised and broken Nation would be the one elected. Now of course I voted for one person over the other for my own personal reasons, but I was okay with the fact that my choice may not be the winner.

We all know that progress is what our country needs. And I think we all know deep down that the kind of progress we need cannot be accomplished by one man in the White House. What we do need from the White House is a strong and brave leader who will coax the best out of all of us, who will encourage us to get up and help ourselves out of the slump we've so easily let ourselves fall into. We need someone who will help keep us focused on what the real issues are, and not let us get distracted by issues that will continue to keep us divided as a Nation. It's going to take all of us to keep moving forward towards a better future for our great country. I think both candidates were acutely aware of how much is at stake for our Nation right now, and I believe they were both prepared to do their best to rise to the challenge. We are ready to stretch and grow. Are we ready for the growing pains yet to come? Anyone who has been married knows that real resolution to disagreements only comes when you put aside the notion of being the winner, and decide to work together to solve things. But, you also understand how much hard work is involved, and how much courage it takes to see another's side. I think we can handle it. We are a strong, stubborn, and ambitious bunch. So to quote President-elect Obama... "Yes we can."

Congratulations to our new President-elect. I don't envy your position, nor your immortal place in our Nation's history. But I will give you my hopes and prayers to live up to the responsibility you've won yourself.