Panamania

This coined title represents not only the journey we are about to take tomorrow, but my extreme excitement about everything happening in America, both in my life and the world in general.
I appreciate my generous friends who have given me newspapers from all around the world. One friend, traveling in Europe, brought me newspapers from almost every city she visited (and I didn't even ask her). Another friend sent several newspapers from Maryland, Wisconsin and Birmingham. The Birmingham newspaper was quite interesting since that city was the center of the movement. The reflection from George Wallace's daughter was quite inspirational. It showed what a generational change is all about, although, according to many, her father became a changed man near the end of his life. This paper said Obama "cashed the check that King, others toiled for." It seemed quite real, coming from an Alabama paper.

MLK once said that cowardice asks, "Is it safe?" Expediency asks, "Is it politic?" Vanity asks, "Is it popular?" But conscience asks, "Is it right?"...When I saw that, I knew that I had chosen the right quote for my email signature.

I am excited to visit another part of the world in the coming two weeks--excited to see what "manias" exist among our international observers. I expect to find new hope, just as I am finding here. My hope is that those who think differently, will also find hope and let go of the negativity which had become a festering sore--i hope the balm will be healing for us all.

Oh my, what a great year to have begun my "freetirementmania," I can sit back, observe and enjoy.

The Younguns

One of my young (44) former students calls me each morning to make sure I'm ok and don't need anything. You cannot imagine how that brightens my day--at least I know I won't be one of those people whose mail has stacked up for weeks and no one noticed. We usually have invigorating or humorous conversations each morning and we solve the problems of the world.

This morning we talked about something I thought I would share (with her encouragement). I was telling her how important I believe it is to make sure that my grandchildren understand the significance of the past two weeks. I am finding that many of those l8 years and under, are not fully aware of the sacrifices that were made for this momentous election possibility. She explained that her seventeen year old son, although excited about the election, thought that is just the way things are now-a-days. We both felt like he didn't actually understand what it took to get to this point. When I consider that it was only forty-eight years ago that Emmett Till was murdered in Mississippi, it makes the past few weeks even more remarkable.

We cannot afford to forget the past, as horrible as it may have been. Those struggles from the past are what strengthened and continues to strengthen us all, across all racial lines. It is our responsibility to keep the past alive in the minds of the younguns so that they know that nothing
comes without hard work, sacrifice, strong beliefs in what is right, and action from all of us to bring it all to fruition. So, today, find a youngun and have a conversation with him or her about the beauty and significance of January 20th. I sure will think about the past as I attend the South Carolina States Society Inaugural Ball--the place where the civil war began celebrating this historic event. WOW!

Yikes!

O'INAUGURATION

I can hardly contain myself as I await the inaugural events in Washington which I will share with my family including our grands. I am so excited to be able to share my grand children's reality. Their world will be so different--their reality, quite different from mine and even from their parents.

Today, I am especially excited because I have secured two tickets the the South Carolina State Society's Inaugural Ball the night before the inauguration--irony of ironies.

Eclectically Speaking

It occurred to me yesterday that "freetirement" offers me the opportunity to enjoy my new life by indulging my eclectic tastes.

Yesterday, for example, I began the day at my sewing machine, mending a few things at 5:30 a.m.

At seven thirty, I picked up"my old lady friends" for our, sometimes on Weds., trip "up the hill" (my euphemism for the casino). This continues to be an enlightening experience--since I don't play bingo, I enjoy people watching and watching television on their bingo monitors. It is a great exercise in lip-reading since there is no sound. It is also a "body language" learning tool.

In the evening I attended a "sports centered" banquet which honored a good friend, and her every sports metaphor known to man. I sat at a table with former colleagues and it was pleasant. My fear was that all of the conversation would be "school centered" and it wasn't.
What I noticed most at my table was the seemingly genuine excitement about the election. Even one of the speakers ended with "Yes We Can."The coffee served was probably the worst coffee I have ever seen in a public place. I complained (that's what freetired people do) but to no avail.

When I returned home I watched a show on PBS on the Monarchy, called "The Royal Family at Work"--I also watched the Country Music Awards at the same time, flipping back and forth. It was quite a contrast but both were equally enjoyable. Actually, the mere title "...at Work" was
quite amusing--is it really work when you are waited on hand and foot?

I am surprised at how many people are sharing these blogs. A friend in Alabama sent me a reflection from her right wing cousin on one of my "Happy Obama Won" blogs. It surpassed the
comments I wrote in "Surprise, but not Surprised." I don't mind listening to right wing mumbo jumbo these days because at least the power shift has changed. I am even listening to right wing radio again to listen to the excuses and negativity they still espouse. Oh Well, they lost! It's interesting to know what the "other side" thinks, even though the election is over.

O, America, the land of free speech.

A "We World" Once Again

The more I reflect upon the enormity of this week, the more I remember the past. I remember the times when we all cared about one another. I remember the times when neighborhoods were united and there were no garage doors to separate us. I remember front porches and playing in the street. I remember thinking more about others than about myself. That was the Peace Corps Mantra--others before self. We cared deeply and we showed it. It was the mantra I tried to bring to my work and to my association with those about whom I cared deeply, family and friends. That caring also extended to those whom I did not know well--it was done without expecting anything in return.

This is the world I see returning--this "Obama Girl" was thrilled that Americans did the right thing--they were not distracted by negativity and did what was right because it was right and for no other reason. It was not because he was Black, but because he was by far, the best person for the job.

Let us have high hopes--not just for the President-Elect, but for our country, our children, our grands, our nieces, nephews and cousins. This should be a time of high hopes for America.

It is time for all of us to "pull our pants up." That expression was one I heard on television--it represents hope that all of the "saggers" will now know that they have a reason to pull their pants up--they have a true role model who lets them know that they can be anything. There is no time for any more excuses. Barack Obama has transcended all of those excuses--it is the start of a new world order.

I am excited to be a part of the "We World" once again. The time of "Meism" has passed.

Rejoice! "America IS Beautiful"

I rejoice for the Lotties, Inez's, Lucilles, Worthys, Fannie Lous, Emmetts, the Little Rock Nine, the Freedom Riders, young people, old people, Hawaiians, Indonesians, Bahamians, Cubans, Black people, white people, the haves and the have nots.

I rejoice for MLK and JFK. I rejoice for hope, renewal and peace. I rejoice for those who believed and followed those beliefs.

I rejoice for the end of the "Bradley Syndrome." I rejoice for our daughters, grandsons, granddaughters and those great-grands, yet unborn.

I rejoice for those students I have taught who can now truly believe that they can be anything they want to be--they now know that those are not just empty words.

I rejoice that sports will take its rightful blast as just an option and not a destination.

I rejoice that I am here to see and enjoy the truest fruit of the civil rights movement. I rejoice that this southern black girl saw her home state turn blue.

I have believed from the beginning that "This One" would become "The One." This man, with a world view shaped by his life, will inspire a new generation. This man, a true representation of cross-culturalism, will restore hope. This man will bring change that will make America beautiful again.

I am thankful to God for this "crossing of the Red Sea."

America IS beautiful--I am happy to share this day with all of the people in my life. We now know that a new day is here.

I have already purchased my airline ticket (as soon as he won Pennsylvania)--I will be in Washington on January 20th--I don't care where, as long as I'm there.

OMG--thankfully, there will be no mooseburgers on the White House menu.

REJOICE!

O'Day

Today I celebrated my birthday by volunteering at the Obama Campaign Headquarters beginning at 6:00 a.m. I called people in Ohio until 10:15 when I had to fetch a friend from the airport. There was a young woman who arrived at the very same time, but could not wait because the calling lists were not ready. I told her that I was "freetired" and could wait and besides, it was my birthday gift to myself. OMG, it was her birthday too--she is 31 today. How ironic is that? We thought it must be an omen that Obama will truly be victorious (I know it's a stretch). We took a picture together in front on an Obama sign in the office. I have already sent this young lawyer the picture and she has already replied.

This morning's experience reminded me of all of us children of the 60's. I saw the same enthusiasm, the same hope, and the same feeling that we made a difference. These reasons make me believe that "Everything is going to be alright."

I was also impressed by the diversity of the volunteers--they were Black, White, Asian, young, old, men, women--all working for a single cause. It was invigorating and inspirational.

Today was an O'Day, my birthday, but tomorrow will be the REAL O'DAY.