Oh my gosh! and then relief

First of all, let me say -- WooHoo! Yippee!! We ACTUALLY won!!!!! For the tiny population that reads this blog, you probably wondered why there were no updates leading up to the election. It's a personal trait my husband finds frustrating. I'm extremely superstitious. Religious? No. Superstitious. Oh yeah. I was terrified if I wrote one word saying that it looked good for Obama, I would curse his campaign forever. I just couldn't live with that kind of guilt. I know, I know. It's mighty egotistical of me to think my thoughts would have actions on the universe. But you never know, and I had to be safe and not sorry this time around.

For those who lived through the 2000 and 2004 elections, you understand my reticence. I was hoping the general population was for Obama, but I have family members who were/are terrified he'd win. Initially, I was amused at their fear. He's Muslim. Well, no. But even if he were, how would that change our lives? And I'm sorry, I just do not see Michelle donning a burka. He's a terrorist. Sorry, that's Karl Rove's department. He's going to ruin this country. My personal favorite. It's so incredibly vague that it can't be fought. Now, if by that statement you're implying that white, Protestant, straight pro-lifers won't be running the country anymore, you're right. But that's not my definition of ruining the country. I personally think that was done by the white, Protestant straight pro-lifers. And I know that some black people voted for Obama because he's black. I have no problem with that. I know some white people voted for John McCain because he's not black. Kinda works both ways, doesn't it?

However, my amusement turned to concern election night. My husband had election burnout and retired to another room. I stayed up with the remote clutched tightly, jumping from channel to channel to compare results. I was cautiously elated when Obama's electoral votes vaulted to the triple digits. And then the numbers stagnated. John McCain's projected wins started inching closer. I knew it wasn't my fault. I had superstitiously guarded my words. However, I was concerned. Not only did I not want the Republicans to win, I didn't want to think that the majority of Americans actually wanted four more years. I didn't want to live among people who thought that John McCain was stronger on national security because he'd chosen a hockey mom/pitbull for a running mate.

And then the Pacific rim rang in at 11:00 pm. Obama had won!!! And what did I feel? Happiness? For a short while. Joy? For a few seconds. And then I realized, I felt relief more than anything else. This was still my country, and it was heading in the direction that I wanted it to go. My priorities would be the nation's priorities for the next four years. The environment is now important. Diplomacy is now important. Dogs are now important! My views have been so vilified over the past twenty years, that I want to prove that my goals won't ruin the country. Just give us a chance. And maybe all those McCainiacs will see that Democrats and liberals aren't such bad people with such awful aspirations after all.