A CHANGE IS COMING!

While Obama was not my candidate, the historical aspect of his inauguration is certaianly not lost on me. I remember when times were different here in KY. I remember the first time my mom took me on a city bus ride, I must have been seven or eight years old. There were plenty of empty seats all around us. I was the only child on the bus that day. Finally, as we got closer to downtown, a black lady and a black girl about my age got onto the bus and went all of the way to the back of the bus to sit down. I remember saying to my mom how I wish they had sat down closer to us so I could have talked to her. I will never be too old to remember my mom telling me that they HAD to sit in the back of the bus because black people were not allowed to sit in the front. Of course I'm sure I asked "why" and I'm sure my mom gave me that look that loudly shouted for me not to say another word. I remember going downtown Lexington to shop on Saturdays and at the end of our shopping, we always went to Woolworth's for an ice cream sundae. EVERYONE went to Woolworth's, rich or poor, for ice cream. Even my friend whose parents owned a famous ladies shop that had the most beautiful furs in the window displays in winter went to Woolworth's on Saturday. I remember the day that I noticed the sign on the front door saying, "Coloreds Not Served Here", and I asked my mom where colored people got their ice cream...she pinched me!!! But, the most profound memory was when my father died. I was 17 years old. We were at the funeral home during visitation when the funeral director came and asked my mom to come to the foyer with him. Several of us kids followed her to find this wonderful black man who had worked for my dad standing outside on the porch of the funeral home. The funeral director told my mom that this black man was trying to get into to see my dad's body and he needed to check with my mom before he allowed him to come in. I knew then that my dad had certainly left his body because if not, he would have jumped right out of that coffin and started a scene. He loved that black man and, the love was mutual.

I think I raised my children in a better world, I hope so. Everytime I hear on the news about the great celebration that is going on in Washington BECAUSE a black man was elected president, I'm not so sure how far we have come. By the year 2009, you would think the celebrations would be because a worthy man had been elected president. The celebrating should not be because of the color of his skin.

Although I did not vote for Obama, he will be my president...the president of MY country. And, I wish him all of the success one man can have in one lifetime. Our country needs it. It doesn't matter if our president is a Democrat or a Republican or if his skin is white, black or blue. We need help!

I hope all of you get that funny feeling in your tummies tomorrow when you watch Obama being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America and I hope the pride you feel causes a great big lump in your throat!