photo credit: tifotter

It seems a short time ago that none of us could say his name without mangling it.  Now we, and history, will never forget it.  Barack Obama is our new president.  

From the pictures I've seen of his family,  I see that he has his mother's strong chin and his father's beautiful smile. As a working mom I can appreciate the devotion of his mother,  waking him early in the morning to go over his school work, probably because she hadn't had time the night before.  When he complained, he tells with a grin, she said, "This isn't fun for me either, buster!"  

His mother apparently instilled in him the discipline needed to overcome obstacles, to stay focused and to apply his skills intelligently.  Both parents were scholars and valued education.

You've probably read about his family as I have: his grandparents who shared a deep belief in him and by all accounts, sacrificed to provide for him and his sister.  They represented stability and a place that was "home".

Now he has his own family and his own home. When I see him with his wife, I can believe that they are truly in love and I like that. I also think it is wonderful that young children will be laughing and skipping about in that big white house.   Little girl giggles will fill that big place for the first time in many, many years. It will be fun to watch them grow up before our eyes.

Now that the American people have spoken so loudly for him to take over the reigns of government, I have great hope that the change he brings will be good for us all.  My support and prayers are with him, as I hope are yours.

Let's enjoy this new presidency for all the elements of diversity that it brings to our nation.  I for one am happy and proud to be a part of the generation to elect the first African-American man to the most powerful job in the world.  

Be sure that your children understand what a special moment this is in our country's history. For the first time we have crossed a barrier that many thought would never be crossed.  We have embraced this brave young man and asked him to lead the way.  Hopefully it will help people of all races to look beyond our differences and see that we really need each other.  We need the skills and intelligence that each has to offer.

I have renewed hope, thanks to what voting Americans, in a great democracy, did today.

The Schoolmarm