Peanut on Obama
November 6, 2008
On election night we all gathered over at my sister’s to watch the poll results come in. My 4 year old niece, the “Peanut” was thrilled with the company, the festive atmosphere and the party spread of food. Oh — and the fact that she was allowed to stay up long past her bedtime.
You see, my sister and I remembered that night in our childhood when our parents let us stay up all night to watch John F. Kennedy become president. Funny, we’ve talked about that night often lately. It’s etched on our memories.
We wanted Peanut to have the same special memories of Obama being elected president. Even though the results weren’t in yet when we gathered together, we all sensed it was just a matter of time. And Peanut had to be part of it.
Shortly before Obama’s victory was announced, I was in the kitchen with Peanut explaining to her why this was all so important. As I tried to set the stage for her in a way a four year old could comprehend, I gave her a short list of the reasons that Obama was the man we all wanted to see elected. I ended with telling her that it was also very exciting that he would be the first Black man ever to be elected President of the United States.
Peanut smiled at that point in an indulgent and patient way. She tilted her head, threw up her hands in slight exasperation with me and said:
Ti-Ti (that’s what she calls me), Barack Obama isn’t black — he’s brown!
I had to laugh!! Peanut gets it. Color is just color. It’s not what defines you or makes you qualified or not for any job — even president. Yet another life lesson from Peanut –
Out of the mouth of babes.
Obama Wins — Oh Happy Day!
November 5, 2008
This music video sums up the joy I feel over Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States of America. Enjoy the song and savor this historic moment!
An American Prayer for Obama
November 3, 2008
As he heads into the last hours of a grueling but historic campaign, Senator Barack Obama now carries the heavy burden of grief after the loss of his beloved grandmother this afternoon. I don’t know about you but I think he needs an American prayer from all of us–never mind what your political affiliation is. I’ve posted this video before but today someone really needs it.
Our sympathies are with you, Senator.
The One Vote Barack Obama Won’t Get
November 3, 2008
I’m here to report that there’s one vote Barack Obama won’t get in this historic presidential election — my 89 year old mother’s. But don’t get excited John McCain. This isn’t a vote for you. You see, Mom’s not voting for Senator Obama simply because she can no longer understand what the voting process is all about. The dementia she has suffered from for years has robbed her of the ability to make an informed decision in this election. Mom would be devastated if she knew.
But she doesn’t. I had a conversation with her this past weekend to see if there was any hope of her being able to exercise her voting rights. When I asked her if she knew who was running for president — she didn’t. When I explained about the candidates, as objectively as possible, and asked Mom if she had an opinion on who she’d vote for — she didn’t. And when I asked her if she wanted me to get more information for her — she didn’t. At that point, I watched her retreat into the cave of her dementia; that place where she doesn’t have to face the fact that she can no longer make important decisions like the one that will be made tomorrow.
If she were able, I know in my heart that my mother would be honored to have the opportunity to vote for Senator Obama. There are many other seniors like my mother who are unable to vote for him tomorrow, though, for reasons beyond their control. Let’s not forget them. We stand on their shoulders — their efforts through the years form the foundation for the choices we have this Election Day.
So in honor of the choice Mom would make if she could, I’m dedicating my service as a legal monitor at the polls tomorrow to her. If there’s an senior in your life whose mental and physical disabilities keep them from voting –
What can you do to honor them on Election Day?
In Memory of Dad — Notes of Hope and Change
October 23, 2008
This week marks the 6th anniversary of my father’s death. Dad was a true Renaissance man — a dedicated physician, an accomplished artist, mentor to many and hero to me. He was the grandson of a slave and the slaveowner’s son and son of a domestic servant and a sharecropper turned factory worker. Despite his humble beginnings, Dad excelled in school because back then, that was the only way a young “colored” guy could remotely get ahead.
Dad injured his leg as a child and had to spend a year in a convalescent home. Despite this, he graduated near the top of his class from undergrad. Although he was positioned to go to medical school, back then they only took 2 Blacks in a class. So he waited for a spot for a year, earning his Master’s along the way.
In his senior year of med school, Dad’s leg was re-injured in the 1943 race riots in Detroit. Faced with another year in a convalescent home, he said “the hell with it” and let them amputate his leg at the knee. Despite THIS, he graduated first in his class — a fact he never knew until he retired 54 years later. The only thing we can figure is that it just wasn’t seemly to have a young Black man as valedictorian so grades weren’t posted the year he graduated.
Dad went on to a wonderful practice based more on service than on monetary gain. And as he grew his practice, he and my mother nurtured and grew 3 children — I was the oldest. Lest you think Dad was an egghead, that was just the tip of the iceberg of the man he was. He had a smile that was infectious, a million freckles, a sense of humor that had us laughing to the point of tears on many occasions. And so many people loved him for the caring and supportive way he showed up in the world — always.
As I grew older, Dad became my trusted advisor, my sounding board for what was supposed to be right in life. He was an amazing man who lived to be 83 years old. If he were here today and I were to tell him that a young Black man — another Renaissance man — was running for president of the United States, he would not be surprised. He always believed in the possibility that this country could rise above the heavy burden left by our history of racism. Because despite all, Dad was a man who believed in a world made better by hope and change.
I know he would have loved and been uplifted by the incredible music that has come out of this presidential campaign. So in search of a positive note this week (instead of too many tears), I found and posted here some of the music videos showcasing the talent and positive energy Dad would have admired and enjoyed. I hope you enjoy it too.
I love you Dad.
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Karen - Midlife Coach
