Today History Writes a New Chapter

Today history writes a new chapter. Today America swears in it's first black president. Millions of Americans will be watching, listing to the inauguration.

Not me. Today I celebrate my freedoms. My hopes for a better country. My dreams for a brighter future finally free, at last, of Bush politics. A time for change, echoed during the campaign trail to the Oval Office.

Today, I will move more things into my house, a house I bought that no one, not even a bank, can take from me. A house of my personal touch.

Today I will walk my dog in one of the vast parks created by our country--National Forests, National Parks--recreation areas for Americans to enjoy.

Today I will go to work at a job I selected, interviewed for, and received. And at the end of the month I will receive equal pay for my day's work.

Today I will knit (yes, think crazy lady knitting circle) in a hall where we are free to talk about whatever it is we want. We may talk about the future or poke fun at the past. We may recall "Bush-isms" or even recite from a book, published under America's freedom of speech and expression.

Today many Americans will watch TV, cling to Obama's words for change. But not me. Today I will live in as an American, proud to be in a country with a black president. A freedom beyond color, race. Our final freedom...

...well, almost. We still have religion to crack.

Are you kidding me?

Most of my adult life I remember my aunt wanting to be a grandma. When she built her house, she installed a baby-tub, which is a tub with very short walls around it, suitable for sitting on your knees to wash a baby. At her house in Colorado she purchased a twin bed to put in the guest room along with a king-size bed so that her grandchildren would have a place to sleep in the same room as their parents.

On Christmas, she and my uncle received a barely wrapped gift: "I love Grandma" and "I love Grandpa" bibs.

My aunt bellowed "are you kidding me?" The room fell silent as Dara shook her head. My uncle still trying to figure it out, looked up, by then the rest of us figured it out -- he caught up.

After that moment, her face actually glowed. Not the glow from too much to drink or too much time in the sun, but an internal glow that would be impossible to turn off. I'm not sure my aunt can tell you anything else about that week, but she can definitely tell you about her soon-to-be grandchild. As for my uncle, he's aglow as well.

As for me, I'm trying to figure out how I am related to my cousin's baby -- is it my second cousin? first cousin once removed and where was (s)he removed to?

Congrats Matt & Dara!