"Hope is a word that fuels actions, ideas and belief in people." I whispered to my mother.
"Hope is a word that has no substance, and cannot guarantee results." She strongly fires back.
"Hope is a word that has united a country, and caused respect in many parts of the world." I quietly respond.
"Let's hope you feel that way 4 years from now. It won't happen."
I boiled a cup of tea, relaxed and relished in a moment that was monumental for so many. My mother may have different, older ideas on what America is, and I respect her opinions and those of others.
I feel lucky to be able to see and understand a different future for my country. I realized as I heard Obama's speech, and saw history being played out before me that I am a fortunate human being, and it is my right to have hope, and to use that hope and learn from a passionate experience to make me a better American and a better person.
I am a white caucasion female, and I could care less during this election about color, religion, or gender. I worry about this country, and to hear "Yes we can" instills me with a message for us all. "Yes we can." We all need to care enough to believe in the message, and use it in our everyday lives. Passion brings about change, and one man may be able to bring about passion, but is the passion of many that will make the difference.
I only wish my mother was young enough, open minded enough to feel that way when she was young, and to know and believe in the words "Yes We Can." She never thought she had a voice when she was younger, and perhaps her life as a woman would have been different if she had the words ingrained in her, "Yes we can." My children will have this message, and I feel blessed for those words.
kganz