04 November 2008

today is the someday



I never talk about politics here. ever. but writing about anything else today would be like ignoring the enormous pink elephant (or donkey) in the room. never has an election felt so electric. never have I felt so excited to vote, never have I felt so nervous about the impending results. in case you're wondering: obama obama obama. but let me tell you, I hate how politics divides our country, our friends, our families. I hate how politics makes people say and do stupid, hurtful things. and if you are someone close to me who is reading this and you don't agree then please, let's talk. because I will drop some science. but lovingly, so lovingly. I will be open to any science you might have to drop too. I have done my research. and I have done the hoping. I will continue to do the hoping and the praying, no matter where we find ourselves tomorrow morning. I am a big fan of hope.

also, the world is watching.

this concludes the political portion of my blog. forever and ever, amen.

43 comments:

  1. I am in the same boat! My blog is a place to house thoughts about what I'm reading or making or watching or listening to, or to capture interesting moments spent with my son and friends. But today I posted something with an eerily similar title!

    Now my fingers are crossed. It's going to be a long night.

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  2. well said. I couldn't agree more. :)

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  3. I know how you feel. I'm usually the last to start a political discussion. Usually turn my tail and run when the topic comes up. But this year is different. This year I truly believe we are at a pivotal point in history. This year I paid attention. This year I voted with pride and anticipation.

    And now, I'm nervously avoiding the news by checking out my blog roll. At least for a little bit longer!!!

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  4. I am with you all the way on this one. I have never, in my entire life, felt this way about the outcome of an election. Even as I write this, I feel an almost electrical sensation at the thought of the possibilities. I am hoping and praying that history is made tonight.

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  5. Wonderful, wonderful post and picture. Wonderful title. It's in the air today, but I almost started crying when I saw the title of your post in my feed reader. Today is definitely someday.

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  6. feeling very much the same way today.

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  7. Amen. And dang, it is looking good! I couldn't be more thrilled! Yes we can!!

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  8. agreed and said so well. i too hate election years for this very reason. the hope turns to hate splits and divides and the gap widens rather than the coming together. i remember all too well the feeling 911 brought our nation. together , one, united. how do we forget SO quickly. i have not.

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  9. yes yes yes. so very well said. thank you for sharing your words--and that perfect picture. hope hope hope!!

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  10. yes, well, that is the thing with this election...it is just that-a divider. both sides feel they have done their research and are trying to drop science on the other. it's unfortunate, but on the otherhand, i suppose it is necessary. it all comes down to what is most important to each individual voter--the values they hold most dear to them. i just hope that regardless of who wins, our country can somehow be united again.

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  11. you americans are a strange strange bunch....

    i am very very "apolitical" - i think they are all the same... andrea i was wondering how you reconcile obama's "radical" pro abortion stance and your christianity?
    just curious.

    {i also wonder how republicans can reconcile the war and their christianity but that's another topic...}

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  12. amen, and i adore you! you are so eloquent and genuine. those are things i believe in!

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  13. I watch your blog here in London. Stayed up all night and everyone is so excited here with the Obama victory!

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  14. Okay, but that political part you banished was just as beautiful as the rest of your blog!

    What I loved most about Obama was the gravity of his speech, that he said I want to be your president too, and that there is such reconciliation and healing in electing him and stepping into the part of our history where MLK jr's I Have A Dream speech is so much more than a dream, and will forever be a prediction that came true.

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  15. hello- well said! i am living in cape town (south africa) and we all been hoping and watching whats happening in the US! its been such a tense and exciting election even for us sitting on the tip of africa.
    despite the discussions, i found it really great that so many people went and voted!
    our hopes are with you and we all excited about obamas victory!

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  16. oh yes, you bet we sure are watching miss hula - writing this from australia. what a sweet, fantastic, wonderful victory to obama. so, so happy for every american citizen, your pride is restored.i think mr. king would be dancing right now!

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  17. Yes. I agree. And well put. (But hooray!)

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  18. Hi. I've never commented before and I don't even have my own blog but I love to read yours. You're someone I respect and I don't even know you in real life. Thanks for these words, especially "drop some science". That makes me smile. Obama!

    Kelsey from Chicago

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  19. your gentle and open approach is perfect and reflective of the man who is our future leader.

    (and amen to the results, dear friend :)

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  20. thanks, all! yes we can!

    djp, I hear you. my christian brother, I hear you. believe me, ward and I have done a lot of praying and researching and then more praying on the issue. I'll be sending you a more in-depth email about this. it's something I feel strongly about. I could go on and on here but the truth of it is that obama is what this country needs. and God is still God this morning, God is in control. I agree, americans are strange. but I was born here so what can I do? :) look for my email today, brother. peace.

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  21. I think you're so right......it's hard to stay quiet when you witness the momentum empowered by the younger generations (and of course others too), rising out of apathy to create a movement so hopeful for change, create a force so powerful that it would not accept defeat. I'm thinking we're going to look at ourselves, as a country, a little differently. I'm hopeful.

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  22. i love the title of this post. beautiful.

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  23. Hope is very much alive.

    What you said so perfectly in your brief post really sums up how I've tried hard, although at times unsuccessfully, to convey.

    I was quite saddened that some folks on the many blogs I read yesterday (not here thankfully) chose to use it as another opportunity to throw out ignorant hateful remarks rather than peacefully "dropping some science." To me Obama represents the opposite of the hateful, hurtful rhetoric and instead represents and chooses to project Hope and a desire to do right by ALL Americans. THAT is the reason I voted for him.

    We won't probably all agree on every topic however I think the choice of this amazing nation reflects that we have made a resounding choice for a man, a husband, a father, a son, a grandson who above all else, wants everyone in this country to have an equal chance, to be a part of the Hope that is America!

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  24. I watched from the other side of the world and I am so very happy and pleased for you all, for all of us really, this means so much for the world as a whole.

    We had Guy Fawkes celebrations last night on the beach and in my mind I was celebrating change and hope.

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  25. and, hope and change was delivered.
    yes!

    p.s. i tagged you today!

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  26. Thank you for braving the topic. I did as well, I couldn't resist it the past few days. It was too big in my heart. To get through yesterday, I volunteered locally as a poll checker. I have never in my life felt so moved to act in some way, however small. Fired up, I came home and phoned battleground states, a task I had chickened out of the day prior.

    It was an electrifying day and I will never, ever forget it.

    Also, the photo you chose sings!

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  27. All I can say is it can't get much worse than it has been. And I'm so glad that some fresh blood is heading to the White House, no matter what party it comes from.

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  28. ...and we won girlie...I am hoping that somehow this will unite us more than ever...xo

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  29. never say never again. you never know...
    another excellent post, and wonderful photo.

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  30. I am in such a state of joy and celebration this week! I was so hopeful but the way America spoke so clearly and we knew early in the evening (I was expecting to be up half the night)!
    He was so humble and beautiful in his acceptance speech! We need to all unite and find ways to start working together. I feel that so much needs to be accomplished! I wish the government would pay kids to go rebuild the same way they did to destroy. Like a Peace Corp Army!

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  31. Congratulations from Germany!
    So many people here are just relieved and glad that this election turned out so well - Congratulations!!!

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  32. and a very very proud day we all had :]

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  33. there's a movie split (http://www.splitdoc.com/) talks just about how america is well um. . . split. it's good. yey for america!

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  34. Oh Andrea, dear Andrea...
    First, can I tell you that I loved this post?
    I'm sitting here, scrolling through your comments and love what I am seeing. And I love the "abortion" bit of it. I grew up raised in a very religious household and in a very Christian town and of course, many people automatically fell in line with one agenda based on that issue. I no longer call myself "Christian" although I believe and hold dearly what I think are Christian values. This election was about so much more, SO much more. Obama inspires peace, action, reaction, kindness from all over the world. He provides hope for a nation that has been in the grip of fear for the past 8 years. He pushes Americans to better themselves, to come together and that to me-is so very important and exactly what I would think Christians would hope for. I'm not forcing him on anyone, just happy to see a glimpse of the struggle you and Ward went through to come to your decision. I think it is so very important to share our thought processes with others. Anyway, I am rambling-but Andrea-friend-hugs to you during this special and exciting time in our country! Thanks for this post!

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  35. This was the most exciting election of us, too. I've never felt so excited about the future of our nation, recession or no. After a giddy morning together voting and breakfast to celebrate, my dh came home in angry tears after a wicked fight his sister via phone. She was horrified to learn that we voted for Obama. (As Christians, she expected us to vote for the republican/pro life candidate and usually that's what we do, but we have been disgusted with the "Christian Right"'s unholy alliance with the Repub. party and felt we could no longer align ourselves with them just because we are pro-life.) The angry, hurtful reaction from someone we love definitely took the wind out of our sails, and is making us totally dread conversation with family over the holidays where the topic will surely come up! It is funny how naive we were about the reaction we'd get. Next time we'll just smile and nod ;-)

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  36. Wonderful post...I was so careful so was my son to try to do a post on how historic and full of hope this result was and how the rest of the world...yes us!!...sees you all and still my blogger friends from the US who are part of the religious right could not say one thing on that post as they were so upset that Obama won.My son was attacked by a regular reader for being audacious enough to discuss the American election result. he was stunned and surprised that someone he had respected would so disrespect him...astounding.

    From where does this hatred and fear come I wonder? It is astounding to us here in Australia as we are I feel one of the most tolerant and nations on earth...maybe because we mostly started as convicts and migrants. We have a short history but religion just does not come into our elections and rightly so.

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  37. woah... just checking back now... i should have emailed you privately andrea... but then again...looks like people are having intelligent things to say on the "big A word" -
    for the record, as an australian bloke, i'm not rooting for one side or the other - see my latest blog postings: www.djp72.net/blog - and i am not being judgemental at all about anyone voting for anybody.... it's all love coming from down under...

    {wait... did that come out right?}

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  38. right on... so eloquently put!

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  39. again, thanks to all who've left such encouraging comments here!

    abby jane, the split doc looks amazing. and sadly, so representative of how divided we actually are. thanks for the link. much appreciated!

    abby p, your comment, your thoughts meant so much to me. you have no idea.

    debra, thanks for sharing your experience with me. sadly, I am experiencing something very similar. and while I'd love to go home for the holidays, I won't miss the heated debates we'd no doubt end up having. so upsetting. my prayers are with you.

    magikquilter, I am so sorry to hear this. this is not of God, this kind of hatred and judgment. thanks for sharing here. and thanks for having the courage to share your thoughts with others.

    djp, no worries! you know how much I appreciate you. :)

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