mourning...

OK, so maybe that term is a little strong. Perhaps "disappointed" would be more appropriate. You know what I'm talking about. I'm not super happy about the outcome of the presidential (and congressional) election but I wasn't all that jazzed about my choices to begin with. No matter what "we the people" decided, it would have been historic--the first African-American president or the first female vice-president. And although I don't agree with most of what President-Elect Obama is proposing for our country, I am keeping an open and optimistic mind to see what happens. Now that the future and fate of the United States is completely in the hands of the Democrats, I'd like to see what they do with it.

I am more in awe of the whole election process this time around than ever before. I've had some things swirling around in my mind that have affected the way I feel about it and reminded me of what a privilege it is to cast my vote. We recently finished watching the seven-part HBO miniseries, "John Adams". Wow--amazing. If you have not seen it, please do. It is enlightening, fascinating and educational. It has truly made me appreciate the sacrifice and struggle that was required to create this great nation. Another thing I've been thinking about lately is the women's suffrage movement. My mom sent me an email a month or so ago about a few of the suffragists and the persecution they endured just for the right to vote. I thought about them today as I dragged my baby and my two-year-old through the sleet and snow to the polling place. And although I live in a very red state where it may seem my vote wouldn't have made a difference, it made a difference to me and maybe to those women and Founding Fathers who came before me. And as I taught my little girl about what we were doing and how to do it, I hope it makes a difference to her.

So here's to the U. S. of A. and to the free Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Starbucks hot chocolate we got for showing off my "I Voted" sticker.