Barack's Day

Will today be a great day or just a historic day? It will be historic simply for the fact that a black man is taking over the top government job in our country. It's a day that will hopefully allow this country to move on past the obstacle of race. Surely no one will be surprised today that the word "black" will likely be spoken more than any other day and that there will be a large number of black people on TV, in the newspaper, on the radio, etc. And why not? It's a historic day for a lot of people based on how a group was treated in the past.

Will it be a great day? That remains to be seen. It's greatness will be built over time if Obama accomplishes what he has made people believe he can accomplish. Otherwise, it will just be another day a new President was elected that did some good things and failed at others - very similar to the last few Presidents.

I read where someone referred to Obama as the "anointed one" and, if you watch and listen, you can't help but see people who give that appearance - that Obama has come from a special place to do special things. I don't have high hopes for the Obama years so maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. My hope for his time in office is that he doesn't make things any worse and hopefully gets us thinking not so much about our status in the world but in our compassion and care for people - wherever they are. I hope he doesn't get so focused on the monetary issue of compassion that he is blinded to simply taking from the rich to give to the poor. Instead, I hope he pushes the message of hope and sacrifice and work. A hope that people will work together to try and improve everyone's place in life, the idea of sacrificing our time for others and working daily to grow in our compassion and labor for those who are hurting and those who are in need.

I didn't vote for Obama but on this day, he has my prayers that he will be a good leader and that the decisions he makes will help this country be a better country-not wealthier or superior to anyone else but better in our compassion and assistance to those who need it.