Barbara Writes

Thursday, February 19, 2009

A Black President

I know its been sometime since I wrote and for those few who follow, please forgive me!

Now, I just had to write about us having a Black President! I am one of those folks who said that Chicago's infamous housing projects would never be demolished in my life time nor would we have a Black president in my life time. Boy am I glad I was WRONG! I have been witness to profound history and you KNOW I just had to go to the Inauguration (later I'll have pictures up). Didn't have tickets to nuttin but Oprah - but to be in the crowd, listening to Obama as he was sworn in followed by his address. I cried as I stood next to a guy that had to be at least 6'4. He had graciously allowed me to step in front of him, even lean on his arm as President Obama talked of the hard work ahead. I even hugged this stranger, who had really been shieding me from the cold (but there were so many people around me that I barely felt it) and found an odd sense of calm in the unending sea of faces all around me.

And then later, we (my friends Annette, Nick, Mikel and Kimmie) walked for several blocks so that we could witness the parade from the offices of a former colleage of mine - Marcel (he's such a sweet heart). I watched, with my mouth open in awe as the President and the First Lady walked down Pennsylvania Ave. during the parade.

In a former postion, I was once a lobbyist here in Illinois and would lobby him on bills that would have a positive impact on persons with disabilites - he was never a hard sell - always had his support. And then when he ran for US Senate, I attended a fundraiser and he remembered me! I think it was because my last year of grad school I completed a series of artcles on the Juvenile Justice System, which turned 100 the year I graduated. Then Illinois Senator Obama championed some legistlation and I tried like HECK to get him to sit for an inteview. Long story short: I'm still waiting! LOL! Actually, his schedule was soo hectic that I went online, found a news story and attributed it to him in the article.

I have to admit that I'm super proud to have known him prior to. And there are times now when I see him on TV that I'm in awe! To think: WE HAVE A BLACK PRESIDENT! WOW! And to remember that at one time I stood face to face with him.

But for me it just reaffirms what I've always believed in: Dreams!

So, each and everyone reading this post, lets inspire those around us to dream, to dare to hope and to chase the possibilities. For as we know life is short, tomorrow isn't promised, and dreams do come true!

Much Love,

Barbara K