44 Thoughts I Had Today
The air feels lighter. Is the air lighter?
Who will I talk to first on the day that Barack Obama became the president?
I’m going to cry today. A lot.
Where are my tissues that I used to keep in my purse?
What’s my dad doing today?
Oh, crap. I just missed a sappy phone call from my oldest sister.
She’ll call back and weep into my ear and I’ll wish I could hug her.
Where’s my calendar? I hope it’s under all these papers on my desk.
Do I really have my gynecologist appointment today? On the day of the inauguration for crying out loud?
I will be getting my girly parts checked out at the exact moment he’s sworn in.
That was a terrible thought, Kelly!
No. That was pretty funny. I’m going to write that down for later.
I need some paper.
Now that I’m writing things down I can’t see through these tears.
We’re not yet the melting pot that we, as Americans, keep calling ourselves.
I’ve talked about race with perfect strangers today.
Melting pot came up twice.
We’re not really a melting pot, though.
We are, really, more like a salad.
Lots of separate pieces that don’t mix to change the substance.
Staying our separate selves, our separate shapes, our separate tastes.
Even though together? A salad is pretty good.
A melting pot changes the chemical compound to create a more savory flavor.
Wonder what Barack Obama tastes like?
Simple words today made me weep. Words like:
“the 44th President of the United States”
“repairing the things in need of repair”
“take out your pencils. begin.”
“God will not leave us alone”
“Let all those who do justice and love mercy say ‘amen’”
Amen.
I looked at faces of my students today and I smiled at them all.
My cheeks hurt now.
It’s a good hurt.
History. History. History.
My granddaddy was so light he “passed”.
Hell. I pass.
Never in my lifetime did I think to see this day.
I’m ashamed of my pessimism.
Today I will change that.
Today is now my Everyday.
Let’s melt, America.
Let’s meet.
Satisfied.
January 20, 2009 @ 10:48 pm | Filed under All the cool kids are doing it | Permalink | Comments (18)
Neil Said,
January 20, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
It was certainly a historic day today. It was as if American changed in front of our eyes.
Mr. Noodle Said,
January 20, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
Though I am unsure of what the Secret Service will think of you wondering what Prez Obama tastes like (I am pretty sure there is a law somwewhere against tasting the president), this was a poignant review of what most Americans thought about today (well… except the girly part part. I wasn’t thinking about girly parts at all… well… oh, nevermind)
Nice post! Captured the elements of the day perfectly!
Except the girly part part…
Miss Britt Said,
January 21, 2009 @ 7:16 am
A weepy, weepy, wonderful, satisfying day.
Indeed.
Meg Evans Said,
January 21, 2009 @ 7:32 am
Well said. I wish I’d had some kleenex yesterday and this morning. I was tearing up again (!) as I listened to NPR’s recap. And–the best part–I was on the way to get my girly parts checked!
All checked out by 9 a.m. Time to get out the salad tongs and get to mixin.
furiousBall Said,
January 21, 2009 @ 10:18 am
great, great day. i think many of us feel that same weight off of our shoulders
Fantastic Forrest Said,
January 21, 2009 @ 10:49 am
Lovely sentiments.
My mother’s take on this after watching the coverage of the inauguration was “They showed President Bush arriving in Texas. He was greeted by a huge cheering crowd.”
Excuse me? Was she baiting me, or just honestly that was what stood out for her?
I couldn’t resist. I said “Yes, and there was a large crowd cheering that he was leaving.”
“Oh, I just can’t understand that hateful talk. I’m not a hater,” quoth she.
Happy Day After Inauguration.
Jennifer Said,
January 21, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
Lovely post!
By the way in Canada we refer to ourselves as a ‘Cultural Mosaic’ I always like that.
)
jaKKI Said,
January 21, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
Good Lord, I thought I had gotten through with all the tearing up….
melissa Said,
January 22, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
Love your post! What an emotional day it was.
Big Mike In Oz Said,
January 23, 2009 @ 3:13 am
So, were your ankles in the air for the 1st inauguration or the 2nd? ‘coz I don’t think the 1st one counts.
And please don’t tell me you had the “taste” thought while “compromised”.
Keri Said,
January 23, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
This is one of the most beautiful things I read about the day.
And I read a lot of beautiful things. I loved your perspective. I hope your physical went okay.
Anali Said,
January 24, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
Beautiful!
chernin's shoes Said,
January 24, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Kelly, I relate a lot to what you say with respect to being “black” in America, I am not black, but … well you know what I am and in my case people can be racist right in my face and not even know I am a target for their “hate”…(I think you know what I mean) … I guess what I am trying to say is that this is a wonderful country and I think our differences are what makes us such a wonderful people, I am an American and have never been prouder than when our 44th president took his oath of office. Let the healing “settle in” and let it be known that this is the greatest Nation on Earth, nowhere is it possible to be so free, so accepting of freedom and so unbelievably progressive in our pursuit of freedom, I kind of like the salad, screw the melting pot!
Sherry Said,
January 24, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
We live in the best country, it is the people who make it good, not only the leader….
Ryan Kelsey Said,
January 25, 2009 @ 5:19 am
Great post, Kelly. I am glad that you liked the artwork so much. What kind of salad are we? A fruit salad? Maybe something else that is sweet and sour. Cultural mosaic is a great term, too.
Angela @ Lost In Splendor Said,
January 25, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
I loved this post. This day could not have come soon enough. It is so thrilling to welcome President Obama. Woo!
Lex Said,
January 25, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
That was a great post!
rachel Said,
January 30, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
This was so fantastically written.
Such a beautiful post.
thank you.