I don't think that I can adequately describe my feelings of this past week. It has truly been an amazing time. I don't often get political here but you can probably guess my bent. If you can't then I'll just tell you: I'm very very liberal. VERY. Now here in Northern California I'm not among the most liberal (that is awfully hard to do) but I've been on the far side of the left in the 6 other states where I've lived.
The past 8 years have been a very dark time for me and for my country. Like many others I've been ashamed of our current administration and distraught about how we've handled ourselves in the world.
But last Tuesday was a momentous time for us. I spent all day working at poll sites (I'll get to that in a bit) and was glued to the tv witching the returns when the polls closed here. When the election was called for Obama you could hear the screams of excitement all through my neighborhood. People rushed into the streets and were just so damned happy. I cried tears of joy. I was so happy to feel proud of my fellow citizens and my country again.
And then I continued to watch the results and it became more than a bit bittersweet. Here in California we voted to give chickens and farm animals more room and to be treated more humanely. We also voted to take away rights of our fellow citizens. That is simply wrong and unfair. I can't believe people were so hateful.
I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the election results. I'm pissed that I can't just be truly and simply happy like so many of the other parts of the country (although I think my friends in Arkansas have it even harder than Californians). I want to just celebrate and bask in this change but I'm truly sad to live in a state where we have taken rights away from people. It's the first incident of that in our country's history.
I'm also angry that the predominant church in my former state played such a pivotal role in this. I don't think that any money from out of state should be allowed to fund state propositions. And any church that engages in politics in this way should lose their tax-exempt status.
Back to the good part.
My children will never know a time when a person of color wasn't President of the United States. My god-daughter will grow up truly believing she can be anything (although I think she is far too smart to want to be President). Her mother has written an incredible post about the meaning of this election. Go read it if you haven't already. That is such a wonderful thing.
I can breathe easier. It's like this huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel good about the Supreme Court for the first time in 8 years. People here are smiling and happy and just being nice to each other. The sun even came out after a week of storms.
And the mister and I had our second date with This NPL yesterday. It was great. There was much talking, mall walking and eating. We talked a lot about politics in her home country as well as here. Actually we talked about all kinds of things. We're still not officially matched but we're all moving forward and enjoying our time together. We're trying to schedule a meeting with our adoption consultant on Wednesday. Her due date is a few short days before Mr. Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President.
I think next year is going to be one great year.
I think 2009 is going to be fantabulous!
I hope that something can be done about the revocation of rights in CA and elsewhere. It really boils my blood and breaks my heart that folks can't just love whomever they want and express that with a marriage if they so choose. Separation of church and state, y'all!
Posted by: Katrina | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 17:20
Yeah. We had friends over on election night and our neighbors came running over with a bottle of champagne when FL went for Obama. Much champagne was imbibed and we were so ecstatic! Then we started to realize that prop 8 was going to pass. It's definitely dampened my Obama-enthusiasm. Especially when I think about how it must feel to know that slightly above a majority of your Californians don't wish you and your partner well. That thought gives me a lump in throat. I don't understand it, I don't understand who these people are who make it their life's work to keep other people from getting equal rights. How do they feel good about that? And call themselves Christians? That has got to be some SERIOUS cognitive dissonance, is all I've got to say...
But I'm thrilled, thrilled about Obama.
And I'm crossing my fingers that 2009 is your year. Nothing would make me happier than to read all about it. :)
Posted by: PBfish | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 19:01
hooray for change and hope! and three cheers for a new year already. the last few have just sucked!
I agree prop 8 is so disheartening. you're right on so many counts about why teh churches shouldn't have such influence in the political sphere... and I actually hope the lawsuit prevails.
glad to hear things are going so well with you guys and NPL. hope you can send an update after your meeting!
Posted by: luna | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 19:58
What an exciting and hopeful post! I must admit I was baffled by California's decision, but the election results were uplifting. And your last paragraph was even more uplifting!
Posted by: Krista | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 20:35
Yay, so glad to read the update. Great news!
Posted by: Red Headed Momma | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 21:04
Hope is a wonderful thing, my friend. I am so thrilled at how things are going with you and the latest and best NPL.
Your goddaughter currently plans to be Elmo or Cookie (Monster) when she grows up.
The Prop 8 situation sucks the big one, but electing Mr. Obama is definitely what we need right now.
Posted by: Teendoc | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 21:12
I agree 110% with you. I am SO looking forward to 2009, and to your ongoing good news!
Posted by: Tonya | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 21:26
Oh, I am so happy to hear that you are close to a match! Keeping my fingers crossed.
That was some election, huh? I am so sorry about Prop 8 but I think that the time will come, just like it did for a candidate like Obama! It has been a very difficult 8 years. I hope that the country has learned a thing or two. (I could go on, but I won't.)
Posted by: Sheilala | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 21:47
Very, very excited, for you and for all of us
xx
Posted by: Tertia | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 21:55
Dear Millie, I couldn't agree more with what you said -- about the happiness and relief and pride and then about the disappointment that California took this extraordinary step back.
It's fantastic to hear you so happy, and to have very realistic high hopes for 2009! May everything you wish for come true in January, and deliver nothing but happiness from there on in.
Posted by: Kath | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 00:23
I can't remember the last time I felt this hopeful. I was so pleased by the results of the election (excluding Prop 8, which was unexpected). I hope 2009 will be a great new beginning for all of us... and I hope your potential match works out!
Posted by: Malloryn | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 05:47
Let's go 2009! I agree wholeheartedly, even though I'm a lot less liberal than I was when I lived in SF (age??) - but still psyched that we were the first state to grant this right (and totally, totally amazed that this happened) and just recently had some great initiatives passed (and shot down).
Oh and I'm keeping my finger on that horror in AK, just in case she decides that she should ever get in touch with the rnc ever again (unless to return the clothes she never supposedly asked for, but apparently received, because oh! there she is in them! in recent interviews! how stupid!). He he!!
Posted by: T | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 16:29
Oh but NC is blue - BLUE! Woo hoo!!
Posted by: T | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 16:31
Well, my state went red, but really, that was expected. I truly was surprised to see that awful Act 1 pass... but the numbers were in favor early and they stayed that way the whole night. I just caught ME off guard because everyone I talked too voted against it... It must have been the rest of the freaking state that backasswards... not my forward thinking friends.
I was well and truly stunned when I found out Wednesday am that Prop 8 had passed.
Still twisted up like a pretzel with every possible part crossed for luck and good wishes with NPL...
Posted by: hangin'in | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 21:25
Oh Millie, what a lovely post, particularly the last bit. I do hope that this baby arrives safely, and arrives in your life in time to watch that historic inauguration. (we might even get to share a birthday!)
Posted by: thalia | Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at 01:59
Hey. I just got caught up. Congrats on the new NPL. I hope it works out for all of you
Prop 8 is too sad. We'll see what happens. From a legal standpoint, it's fascinating. But when you think about people who are worried that their marriages aren't valid now, it's heartbreaking. I can't even imagine.
Hang in there.
Posted by: chris | Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at 04:25
We're Blue, wohoo. First time since 1976(I think it was 76). Anyway what an exciting year for 2009, so hoping this all works out with the placement Millie. I can't wait until it's offical. I think I'll do backflips for you and I'm getting to old to backflip.
oxox,
Kimmer
Posted by: Kimmer | Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at 06:21
I too was so disappointed in the whole prop 8 thing. It's maddening to me how narrow minded people are.
Glad that things are moving along well in the adoption stuff. I'm hoping for you.
Posted by: Michell | Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at 07:33