Back to the Present

A portrait of Barack Obama, former president of the United States.

At times, the things I experienced left me filled with hope in one moment and without it the next. But my children have faced similar things. They lived through the Clinton and Lewinsky scandal of the 90s, the shock of 9/11 in 2001, grew up constantly at war with Iraq and Afghanistan, and now must come to terms with the idea that the evidence indicates that the American people were lied to about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in those countries. While they are lucky that none of their family members were directly affected by Katrina, they have friends whose families lost everything-homes, possessions, memories, family members- and received little help. I can only hope that same disappointment does not terribly affect how my children view their government, yet through all of that, barriers continued to be smashed and the sun seems to be peeking out behind the clouds. I can also see the fire of protest in their young eyes. Sarah goes to pride with her friends every year, advocates for animal rights, speaks out against sexual assault, and tutors students from underprivileged backgrounds in math and science. Mark wants to practice medicine and hopes to practice in underserved areas. Richard is applying to law school and possibly wants to go politics, so he can work to make better laws as a legislator. Nancy just landed a job as a political journalist with the New York Times, and she couldn’t be happier.

I am pleased to see my children become so active in wanting to change their communities. I am approaching retirement now, but I am considering earning a teaching credential and becoming a teacher because I too want to make a difference by teaching the next generation of Americans. Paul and I also donate to Midnight Mission and other charities, as well as volunteer at the local food bank because we are financially able to do so. My parents are more supportive of the issues my children care about, showing that even the eldest among us can change given some time.

My mind wanders back to the present as my eyes glance around the room. The room is filled with love, excitement, and the warmth of the fireplace.

I guess I had been in my thoughts for so long that Peter says to me, “Sherrie, is everything okay?”

“Yes, Mr. Smith. I think everything will be just fine,” I respond. I smile at him. He pulls me in closer to him as we sit and watch the election commentary on the couch. The count is getting closer to being completed now and it looks as if President Obama will pull ahead more and more to become the President of the United States of America.

Hope, change. Even though at times they feel foreign, it is good to see they still have a place around.