In all my life I’ve never seen such open exuberance on the faces of middle-aged adults as I saw last night at Richard’s election party after Barack Obama was declared the next President of the United States. Of course, mine was one of those faces, and so was my husband Thor’s.
Richard’s daughter Kate, 15, was my favorite, whooping, jumping up and down and clapping. “This is the first time in my life I can feel good about my President!” she exclaimed.
The raucous room was raptly focused during each of the speeches. We all agreed that Senator McCain delivered a gracious, even classy concession speech. And I still think that Sarah Palin is the cutest person I’ve ever seen in politics (I’m allowed to say that since I’m a woman).
Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, interestingly, was the least jubilant and most serious part of the evening. I’m glad he’s grounded and realistic about how much hard work lies ahead for all of us. The U.S. is in such rough shape that we citizens have to carefully manage our expectations. Our new president cannot rescue us from problems we’ve been creating for years and decades. I notice he called again for a spirit of sacrifice. Amen.
As Thor and I were leaving the house, Kate and her friend Elena were gleefully turning somersaults on the front lawn. “Do some carthwheels too!” I urged.
“We don’t know how!” they cried. So I turned a couple of cartwheels on the grass, prompting yet more delighted shrieks from them. “You ROCK!” Kate shouted.
As we drove home along SE 39th, Thor sighed and spoke of his sadness, even grief, about the past eight years of misrule that led up, finally, to this joyful evening. I listened sympathetically. At the Powell and Hawthorne intersections people were honking and catcalling their happiness through open windows, and I joined right in.
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It’s wonderful the air of excitement and expectation there is around now (even over the sea here!), but good that Obama is saying publicly how much hard work is involved.