Wednesday, November 5, 2008

I've Unpacked My Bags

My sincere apologies go out to Mr. Lady, Huckdoll, Anna-Banana and any other Canadian friends I have out there; it looks like we are not going to be neighbors after all. I have unpacked my bags, so to speak, and decided that I don't need to become an American Expatriate anymore. So, sorry ladies, it would have been fun (and April was going to come with me, so you should be doubly disappointed), but I think I am just going to stay right where I am at and be part of the changes that are inevitably going to take place in our country.

Special thanks go out to April, by the way. She knows I don't do TV, so was more than willing to call and give me updates as the votes began to be counted. I have NPR in the car, so I listened to some coverage there, and found an AM station in the house that was providing non-stop coverage, so between April and the radio, I was well-informed. I can't begin to tell you how exciting it was to be sharing that experience with one of my favorite people in the world, even via phone. To be able to talk to her right after the election was called was just an added bonus to an already fucking great night. I love you, April!

I was disgusted yet not surprised that Idaho went red; we had three Blue counties, which is two more than we usually do, but McCain still got all four of our electoral votes-sickening. It was really neat last night to get down to the precinct, though, and see all of the young people there voting. I would be willing to place a wager that this was definitely the highest turnout our county has ever seen, which of course follows the national trend. It was really encouraging to see how many people were there to have their say, regardless of how they voted. I took Hannah and Sam with me, and I was almost a little disappointed in how efficient our polling workers were. I was almost hoping to have to stand in line for a little while, for there to be more hustle and bustle and excitement, because both of them were all like, "That's it? You're done?" It seemed a little anti-climactic for both of them. Still, Sam was interested enough to want to be woken up when the winner was announced, and Hannah and Eli were both still up at the end-very cool.

After the election results were in, after I basked in the glory for a short while, I called another friend and left a voice mail about how "our guy" won; she called back, and we ended up talking until after midnight, which was really good. She is the one who has been having some problems in her marriage, and events occurred over the weekend that have made the end both inevitable and necessary. My heart just breaks for her on a thousand different levels, and I don't know what to say or do to help her other than to just listen. As the result of events, she has a shitload of problems that are going to have to be dealt with one small step at a time, and that is hard enough without having to even go into the sadness and feelings of betrayal she will have to deal with later. Keep her in your thoughts, all of you, ans she starts out in the direction her life is taking right now. She needs thoughts and prayers for strength and peace, and also for her fighting spirit to sustain her through this. I will say that even in the midst of the turmoil and pain in her life, she was telling me that while she was driving home from an appointment last night, she listened to Obama's speech, and it was as if his words were directed specifically toward her, and applied to everything in her life at that moment; what greater tribute to our President Elect than to have that kind of experience?

My mind is reeling today, so any attempt I make to articulate the thoughts and feelings running through my mind would be futile, and better left untried. I will leave you with this quote from Obama, though, and know in my heart that he is what we need to begin to become a country united once again:

"This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance to make that change"

17 comments:

MarĂ­a said...

SQQQQQQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

April said...

I was beyond thrilled to be able to talk to you first thing. We shared it. 40 years from now, we will remember last night and that we shared this historic moment. And I'll love you then, too!
My hope knows no bounds today. Everything is possible.

Melissa said...

It's pretty interesting around here. I'm so thrilled about the results, but so many around me are not. But it was a lot closer in Texas than I would have thought...

I'm sorry for your friend. But she's got a great support system with you.

and your word verification today is:

cluedin!

Mr Lady said...

The potatoes aren't as good here anyway.

for a different kind of girl said...

To see all the faces of the young voters out among everyone else was a nice little "See? We care!" to those who say the younger generation is apathetic. I think this was the year of the younger voter. I'm looking forward to an awesome first term to follow!

Karen MEG said...

Well, while we would have loved having you and April here, we understand ;).

I have a Canadian friend who lives in Texas and she found it frustrating that she couldn't vote. Her husband has colleagues with pictures of Bush hanging in their hallways. Oof.

Sorry about your friend, Kori.

Mama Smurf said...

Well, please don't hate me, you know by now that my husband and I are republican. So there was a brief moment of sorrow last night....actually it was more like a few hours of sorrow as it became evident early on the direction in which the polls were rolling.

But, with that said, if we're going to lose to a demacrat I'm very pleased that it's to Obama.

Your friend is in my thoughts and prayers.

Kerrie said...

Thrilled for you , just thrilled…!!!

There’s a palpable feeling that the world is on the cusp of something so monumental and exciting.

I’m blown away by Obama’s win…have been anxiously watching coverage all day here and was worried, that when it came to the crunch that voters just couldn’t go with it, am so excited to see that people voted with their heads and hearts.

Last night at dinner my partner & I were discussing how monumental a day today was with our children (14 & 12)…they were excited too but found it hard to understand such racism that has gone before and why it would be out of the ordinary to elect a black President. Bless them.

May all of our children never know any different.

Love the quote too, so very true...

Mozi Esme said...

:) I must admit it's been nice to be out of the country during the election craze!

There's an award for you on my post today.

Laski said...

Awe! Great post. Flaming moderate here . . . yeah. I know.

I'm a pessimistic optimist, so I wouldn't have bought into the hype no matter who won. I'm all about action, staying true to your word and honest in spirit.

I ALWAYS HOPE for the best. Red or blue, Republican or Democrat. ALWAYS.

One of the greatest outcomes, J will grow up in a different world in terms of diversity, equality and the realization of dreams. And that is simply inspiring.

Jennifer said...

Whew--what a relief, right!?! I was SO happy last night I could hardly sleep!!

I'm sorry about what your friend is going through--I will keep her in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Colorado went blue! Its a freaking MIRACLE!! I can comment on you blog again! ANOTHER FREAKING MIRACLE! I heart you Kori, and I'll be thinking about your friend. Its really a time of change in so many ways for so many people.

FreedomFirst said...

I'm sorry I didn't get on here sooner to congratulate you, but I've been very busy as well as feeling the effects of this cough.

So, congratulations! I won't go into my thoughts here, as I hope to do a post tonight about the election. But it makes me very happy to know that you and April are happy tonight. :)

Anonymous said...

When Idaho went Red, I swear I could hear you yell, "Noooooooooo!!"

Anonymous said...

"I was almost hoping to have to stand in line for a little while, for there to be more hustle and bustle and excitement...",

I had the same feeling. I voted in DC at 10 a.m. I brought my mp3 player in case there was a crowd, but it took less than 10 minutes.

I wanted to do something to demonstrate my enthusiasm, like wait for an hour in a line around the block. There is no story in waiting in line for less time than it takes to get a pizza.

First and last time in my life I will wish to stay in a line longer.

Unknown said...

I completely *heart* you and your blog...I agree that it was an amazing place in history last night, a friend i've known for 26 years and I went back and forth all day yesterday about the whole election and the history we witnessed! Thank you for this blog and your post!!!!
Your friend is in my prayers!!!
Hug
G

Unknown said...

*Sigh* I was so excited to have at least fifty of my American blog friends and their families move to Canada...

j/k ... I'm so so so happy and excited for you all!