Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Stunderfied

If you've been reading this blog for longer than, say... I don't know. Two days? Then you will know that I am rarely at a loss for words. I am now. Regardless, I will do my best and sally forth in fine old Cheastypants style. But really, where do I start? I cannot even narrow down what I'm feeling right now to a short list of words. Proud? Yes, definitely. Captain Mommypants spent all day out going door-to-door, driving people to polls out in North Carolina, and I couldn't be more proud of the part she played in bringing Obama to the presidency. Umulu sent in my absentee ballot, and Crasey voted early. Amazed? Yes. The Fairy King, who in his own words would "rather be in church" than think or talk about politics, drove himself an hour away to the last place he'd registered to vote, and brought Obama to the presidency. Stunned? Yes. I am not what you would call an optimist, and I was terrified, absolutely convinced that victory would slip through our fingers on election day. And yet we won in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Virginia, and NORTH CAROLINA (hi, family!), something I never thought I'd see happen. Relieved, overjoyed, excited beyond words? I believe I will come up with my own word, since none that I am aware of are quite doing the job. I am stunderfied. Part stunned, part wonderment, part terrified of the great task we have set ourself to. I am stunderfied.

I do not know what a President Obama will do for this country. I am sure that at times I will celebrate and at times I will disagree quite strongly. But I tell you what. Today, after years of feeling that my vote was a futile act, I am proud to say that I, along with millions of Americans, voted for the chance to change, to improve, to build upon hope and energy and an urge to do good both at home and in the world. Regardless of how this whole thing turns out four or eight years down the road, I am proud of my generation and of my country in this moment. I looked at the crowds gathered tonight for McCain and Obama, respectively, and at one I saw nothing but white, well-coifed heads in one of the most luxurious hotels in Arizona. And in the other I saw the diversity in age, race, and creed that is the future face of the United States. We are changing, demographically, culturally, and politically, and seeing those crowds -- hundreds of thousands of people -- gathered in the open public spaces of cities and states around this nation, I was both proud and wistful. Proud that I am witnessing the moment in which the hope for change expressed itself in the voice of the people, and wistful that I am watching history happen in my home from so far away.

Congratulations, President Obama, and good luck.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

w00tw00tw00t!!!!!!!







The Fairy King



ps - it was an hour and twenty minute drive towards the middle of nowhere... your right... i would have rather been in church, but whatevs, yo... it was worth it to see that tonight!

Jen said...

I'm still teary eyed. I'm not sure I can make it to the archive today. Too excited, proud, emotional...

Anonymous said...

Stunderfied is a good word for it. I couldn't believe it until he actually took the stage. And now I'm still stunderfied, but relieved and hopeful too...and also not making plans to leave the country ;-)

Bull City Running Co said...

well said, sister. you can make up words any day (and i will embellish with superlatives). this is indeed a turning point, a reckoning, an awakening. it's a beautiful thing. Definitely beyond the OED.
Miss you!

Renny said...

I know how you feel, I keep tearing up whenever I think about it. It makes me excited for my next trip abroad because, for the first time in a loooong time, I can be proud to be an American!
It was cute, when I was driving home from watching the election results last night, there were little kids hanging from a lamppost and cheering. It was a moment that I think you would have really enjoyed.

PrincessPi said...

I totally feel you. The only two presidential elections I've been old enough to vote in, W has won (in a manner of speaking). It doesn't allow for much confidence in our election system. Last night was one of the best election nights I've ever experienced. I just hope Obama can live up to the expectations of millions of Americans who feel so jaded and betrayed by their government.

Cheasty said...

Oh, what a feeling! All day today people here are eagerly chattering away about the election, and they are astonished that we actually elected Obama. I am so proud, and for the first time in a long time, my first impulse isn't to apologize for my country when I meet the Nicaraguans whose lives the US has in large part molded.

Today every time I met somebody new (which was quite a lot, considering I had to spend all day down at the Immigration Office) I said, "Hello, I am an American and my president is Barack Obama." And they smiled. Oh, how they smiled.

clergywm said...

My dear daughter, Amazing Cheastypants,
I sent my election comments to yesterday's post because this one wasn't up at the time. You should have heard little Bug on the way to pre k this morning - (with a little prompting) he was saying "Yeah Obama!" Ooooo he's so very cute - and wise too!
L, h& k,
Captain Mommypants

Cheasty said...

oh mom. you rock. tell bug i love him more than my luggage.

Brown said...

To you my dear cheasty, I raise my rum 'n coke. Generally I drink vodka. See, I too am embracing change.

Brown said...

But don't expect me to drink anything the Mexicans make. That's just taking it too far.

Cheasty said...

oh, mr. poopie. how positively central american of you!

Jennoit said...

It is great news indeed. Obama's got a lot of crap to deal with when he gets into office, but it's exciting to think that he might, just might, be able to turn world opinion of Americans into something positive.