3 Things They'll Remember

Their ears perked up when he spoke to his daughters.

Ds: “Oh my gosh! They’re getting a new puppy!”

The envy in his voice was plain. We can’t have pets in our current (rented) home.

More striking, to me, though was the instant connection he seemed to feel. This previously recorded family standing in front of a ginormous crowd on the screen of my laptop was suddenly human and, at least in one small respect, very much like him. He’s been saving most of the money he has earned and received toward the future purchase of his very own dog. Our local library is void of juvenile books on dog breeds; they’re all at my house.

So, one might be the much coveted promise of a puppy.

They lapsed back into silence, and probably a tinge of boredom. At one point, ds commented that his imaginary friend didn’t really understand what the man was saying, but liked “his tone.”

More silence, then-

Dd: “Mama, what’s wrong?”

Ds: “Oh my gosh.”

I was crying. So much positive talk. So many allusions to MLK’s famous speech. Such a historic moment. So much diversity- peaceful, blissful unity in the crowd. “Yes, we can!”

My tear ducts had their own agenda. While this man was my choice of the two major parties, I cannot overemphasize how skeptical I am. For so many reasons, e.g. the fact that we made it through this longest presidential campaign without a single material discussion of the debt and looming boomer entitlement liabilities. (and what those things (should) mean for all of the big programs bandied about)

Still, two might be that Mama cried happy tears.

The speech concluded and I turned off my computer.

Me: “Wow.”

Ds: “Yeah, the first dark-skinned president. And I’m alive to see it.”

Dd: “Me too.”

Though superlatives never fail to interest them- best, worst, biggest, smallest- I think that firsts interest them even more. Excite them. Lasts are sad and require ceremonious goodbyes, but firsts are exciting.

Too, they’re both beginning to define what’s historic for themselves, in the context of their own lives- especially ds. He’s grasping ever larger numbers and the fact that his life could very well span three centuries is impressive. Flags were at half-staff when dd was born in 2001. I caught a glimpse of impact when she touched the twin tower girder section at the state museum.

Throughout election night and our time with Obama’s victory speech the next morning, they both mentioned how cool/great/big this first was. (Wonder what they’ll say after we study American history in greater depth.) I enjoyed entertaining visions of them telling their great grandkids that they were alive when this first took place.

Definitely, three will be that the first dark-skinned president was elected this year.

The Whole Post