It has been no secret we have been for Obama all along. And now that the near-impossible has really happened, the future truly begins.
Last year in the States, we heard people talking and newspapers writing about Obama, who at that point was practically unknown in Europe. There was a tangible sense that this is someone who can "talk right down to earth, in a language that everybody can easily understand", without compromising his ideals, intellectual integrity and political vision. To put it bluntly, Obama and his message were making sense to so many people who had lost all faith in politicians. Because we share most of his views, we have been holding our breaths as the election day drew nearer.
Some, of course, have been more enthusiastic than others ;-) Marko was glued to pre-election polls for weeks before the actual day... and early this morning, at 4 am Finnish time, he crawled out of bed to watch CNN's election broadcast live. He had taken the entire day off just to be able to really take it all in. Well, we all have our little... eccentricities, no?
After the results came in, there was low-key but dedicated rejoicing in our household. The Stars and Stripes was brought out, a few happy tears were shed, and for lunch and supper only American-style food was served. Someone from the younger age group in this household complained that the German-made peanut butter we had can't hold a candle to the real stuff. At this point, we adults usually tell the kids to keep the noise down and eat, but this time he had a point. American peanut butter really is better. So, congratulations, America, wherever you are... And as for our family, there is now all the more reason to be excited about next summer. Visiting Washington DC during our stay is something we look forward to with extra enthusiasm.
On a less official note, we celebrated Halloween with friends last Saturday. Our American days got kind of kickstarted there. Apple pie, Jello, real pumpkin Jack-o-Lanterns... It's always fun throwing that party, so welcome to our Ghostly Grove of Gruesome Gremlins again next year, if you dare be around these grey and unlit corners... ;-)But we have got to get past the holiday season first before can really even think summer. The winter spirits have already been hovering around. We put winter tires on the Volvo today, and some icy mornings Marko has really had to watch it on his bike. The dark and the cold tend to be downers, but there can beauty to it, too. This is what the ground looked like on the very first subzero morning about a week ago. Downright Christmasy, wouldn't you say, even if it was taken on a morning about a week before Halloween:
Looking at that, you can almost hear a bell far away... but it can't be, yet...
1 comment:
Wow, I wish that I could share your enthusiasm on our election results. For the 1st time in the 30 years that I have been able to vote I entered the election with no other emotion than dred. I agree that we have reached a milestone in electing an elequoent speaking 1/2 black man as president. However. had the results been for McCain then I have no doubt that there would have been widespread rioting in most major cities (including Detroit which is 30 miles away from our home) in the US. As it is, the news snippets are of people so happy that Obama will "take care" of them now and they won't have to worry about making a mortage payment ever again (no kidding - a woman was interviewed on the news saying that exact thing). My concern most about Mr. Obama is the fact that he actively attended & worshiped in a church for 20 years where the preacher spoke often of hatred toward the white people and the need for a divided people (country). I know that a church choice is very personal and that you look elsewhere for spiritual guidance if you don't agree with what is spoken there. Only when Mr. Obama decides to pursue the higher political office did he begin to take the steps to distance himself from such a man & church. So he has questionable ethical background & beliefs - and don't tell me that that shouldn't matter. This country was founded on and is based upon Christian principals. And no matter who was elected they are facing an economic crisis of massive proportions (started in large by an initiative by the Clinton administration to allow "everyone" an opportunity for home ownership, not caring if you had the job or money or security to pay for the mortage for that home or the fact that they would loan you far more than the home was worth so you would have money in your pocket). Being president of the US is likely the most thankless job in this world At this time all we can do is pray for our leaders to make wise choices (even if they are difficult choices and not popular ones). I do truly wish for a new hope - but Mr. Obama is not the messiah nor is he the hope of the world. He is an eloquent speaking man with little experience who will need our prayers and support in order to guide us through the next 4 years. Jeanne
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