A Moment In History
Here I am at 12:25 am, in front of the television that I rarely watch. It’s been an evening of unexpected emotion for me. I am known as the funny girl; the sarcastic one with the quick comeback. The serious, emotional side doesn’t rear its face often here on The Daily Blonde. That’s reserved for more private times.
However, this is one of the few times that I feel the need to share the other side of The Daily Blonde. Yes, I am real: I do cry and I do like to talk about things that aren’t funny.
Tonight after my children went to bed, I sat down to be a guest “tweet” on the Mommy Gossip GNO, pegged as a liberal funny girl. I won’t deny that, but I never thought I’d be so entranced by election night and NOT be funny at all. I was just too distracted by the speed of the decision in this election. I’ve been around 45 years now and I don’t recall an election that was decided this fast. Perhaps it’s just because this one was so controversial. Whatever the case, my typically flippant mouth was silenced to the point where I’m sure I disappointed someone out there who expected me to make a mockery of the evening.
I have been a single mom for over 7 years. I’ve struggled to raise 5 children on my own, the majority of those years without the benefit of child support. I have worked hard to provide for my children and it hasn’t been without frustrations, tears, tough choices and sacrifices. Might sound dramatic, but not many would even realize that I’ve walked the hard road while keeping the face of a happy-go-lucky woman. Never let them see you sweat…isn’t that what they say? Well, I’ve done plenty of sweating. How can you not when you’re trying to do your best to juggle the lives of five very important people without financial or emotional support?
This isn’t about my struggles to be the best possible Mom I can be without a guide book. This is about a promise for the future. I have NEVER cared one iota about government, politics or who is running for what. After struggling for over a year after an accident took away my job, my paycheck and my ability to run in 4″ heels like I used to, I realized that it was time to pay attention. I’ve endured two major knee surgeries and I have another one coming up next week. I joke about it but it’s just to cover how incredibly taxing it’s been on my spirit. I needed more than ever to have confidence in the future for the sake of my children. Both candidates didn’t impress me much. So, I started reading, learning, making choices on my own without influence.
Tonight was not only historic for the country, it was historic for me. I’ve never voted in my life (there’s a long story to that) and this year I needed to do that. No matter if my one small vote meant nothing, it felt powerful. I want my children to have bright futures, not the worry and stress I’ve experienced. I want my children to feel safe and feel confident that in time we will bounce back as a nation. My two oldest daughters are now adults in this unstable economy. I want them to feel secure. My three youngest children need to see a positive role model in the White House while I continue to try my dammed best to be a positive role model for them.
I watched McCain concede with grace. The best speech of his campaign. Perhaps because there was no longer the pressure to perform. I give him kudos for all he set out to do.
I watched President-elect Obama’s speech with unexpected tears. I watched as he held his little daughters hand with REAL affection. I watched him kiss his wife with real love. He glowed with pride. When in the hell have we seen that in recent history? You can’t fake real. I know that because I can’t fake emotion. I am deeply emotional when I care. I am completely aloof when I don’t. Life to me is black and white. Sort of ironic isn’t it?
My son Maxx, 10 years old and extremely in tune with life, asked me before bed, “Mom, will this mean that more people can become big things no matter how they look or what color they are?” How awesome that I can wake him up in the morning and say, “Yes, Maxx, we’ve made history while you were sleeping.”
I find it simply amazing that I can share these moments with my children and that they will remember this time far into their adult lives. My older son, newly 13, kissed me goodnight tonight (yes, he still does) and said, “Will they paint the White House or doesn’t that matter?” Interesting take on race. I love children for that sort of innocence.
I’m hoping many people have this feeling of family and unity on this historic night. I want to hug my kids and say, “I had no idea who I wanted in the White House. There was a point where I wanted neither. But tonight, I am proud of my choice. I saw a real man who might make mistakes but is going to be handed a huge task. Let’s give this man our support. President Obama, after his moving speech, gives me hope that we can now focus on family more than ever because we finally have someone who understands the value of that.”
I’ll be back with my regularly scheduled funny stuff in no time. I’m just excited to tell my children that we’re going to move forward, no matter how hard the climb. Now let me go wipe my eyes and don’t spread the word that I’m an emotional chick. But isn’t it sort of nice to know I’m real beneath all the snarky comments?
Great post. I do believe that if Obama remains as genuine a person as he appears to be, that despite all the mess that Bush has left us with, he will prove that color or race has no effect on how good or bad a politician can be.
Maybe he will help inspire a move back to genuine feelings and behaviour in people. It’s nice to think so.
Wonderfully put.
A momentous day for every American.
Amen, sister.
from what you said,it was a great day:p
Beautiful post. So fun to get to know you on GNO and here. Wow! You have been through a lot. I didn’t realize you were having surgery next week. I hope it goes well. I have been through quite a few myself and know how wearing they can be. You have my emotional support.
Thanks again for being our guest tweeter and for linking to our blog today. We love a little linky love.
Also… I am featuring this post over on the blog. I think it is amazing and needs to go up. Hope you are OK with that!
What a glorious day!
What a fantastic post! It’s always so great to see the strength and wisdom behind the funny. Thanks for sharing.
Robin
Cheryl,
Yeah – this post made me cry… thanks!
I have a 5-year old son, have gone through a divorce and a whole bunch of struggles (my ex and I are best friends).
Since he was born, I’ve asked myself, “How did we fuck up the world so much? How is he going to deal?”
But, you’re right: Seeing Obama last night made me realize that if I can instill a sense of mission and hope in my son, then I’ve done my job.
Thanks again – really.
John
Great piece. You said it all.
K
I am SO HAPPY that you chose to vote!
I’m not surprised by your compassion Cheryl. Not at all.
What a beautiful, well written, post. ((hug))
That was sweet what your son said…congrats on voting for the first time. I agree…I thought McCains speech last night was the best of his whole campaign…I almost felt like crying watching him concede…I’m such a sap!
Wow, Cheryl. I always enjoy your snippy witty sarcastic funny-girl posts. But I think reading this, the “real” Cheryl with all your transparency and candidness was my favorite post of yours yet. And your son’s remarkable question, “will the have to paint the white house now?” LOL – what a great kid’s thought! Right – we now have a Black House! (smile)
Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. I had spinal/neck surgery last April. Ain’t fun, but the reduction in pinched nerves-induced osteo-arthritis was well worth it.
You’re good peeps, Cheryl, and a great sounding MOM. Glad you shared this piece with us today.
I felt the same Cheryl. Watching JM speak, I thought – Wow well spoken. Haven’t said that of him often throughout these months.
Then when Obama came on, I honestly had goosebumps. I could feel his passion for what he was saying. I don’t think he was giving us a bill of goods – it felt like he genuinely believes WE can do it! I have never been so enthralled by an election night or it’s results as I was last night.
On to the future.
And your secrets safe with me
I never had any doubt that you had some real emotion in there somewhere. You inspire me on a daily basis and I can always hear so much with even a few of your words. Rock on, gal!
That was beautiful, all of it.
Well as linked as we are by uncolored hair color, you are tempting me to check out domains in the am. LOL
Our state (wa) likes to count it done by 10% of ballots called, someone may concede. HONESESTLY, give it until the last vote. Did I vote for you? I DO NOT CARE! Stand up for every single vote you got. Do not concede before you’ve lost!
What your son said, about anyone being able to become anything someday, brought tears to my eyes. Great post
Congratulations on voting. If you haven’t seen the movie I emailed you about just yet, make sure you watch it-and with your daughters! Don’t ever let them forget what other women went through just so you could vote tonight…