Like most folks I know, I was absolutely glued to the TV last night, watching the returns role in with baited breath. And I couldn't possibly go to bed without hearing Obama's and McCain's speeches. Hats off to John; I was immensely impressed by how gracious he was.Of course the baby still got up three times last night, so color me Two Sheets to the Wind today.
I woke up this morning to read two touching emails from two friends who live abroad. I think their words illustrate just how much this Obama victory means not only to Americans, but to our friends all around the world. As the commentators were saying last night on CNN, this election has given us a real chance to redeem ourselves and our reputations on the world stage, and indeed it appears that is already happening.
From Liora, a Jewish woman from Holland:
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!
I heard this morning at the 6 O'clock News that Obama was elected. Barukh HaShem!!
The national Radio 2 broadcast Obama's speech and played "Coming to America" by Neil Diamond, then broadcast a little bit of Bush congratulating Obama, but that was faded out, followed by a (early seventies) Dutch protest song called "Mr. President" about all the killings which somehow don't bother the president in his sleep, and that was followed by: "Hit the road Jack (Bush) and don't you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road Jack (Bush) and don't you come back no more!" (I thought that was quite funny!)
From Vera, a Muslim Israeli who will be coming to the U.S. to study next year:
Dear beloved friends and family,
Don't even wonder how Obama got me and Aead, people who live on the other side of the world, all excited about him becoming the US president. He is a miracle. As non-Americans, non-white, that are coming to the US soon, Me and Aead couldn't feel safe and so happy about coming to the states in the middle of a harsh situation and an economic crisis.
When we got to know Obama through his AMAZING speeches, he got us enthusiastic about him winning, he gave us hope although we live across the ocean he touched our hearts, and gave us the hope for a change. Last night we couldn't go to sleep (day time at the US is night time here), no one in our families understood why me and Aead are watching news from the states, they thought that we can go to sleep and then see the results in the morning. When he was announced winner, I couldn't stop myself from crying loud, Aead kept greeting me: Mabrook, Mabrook....
Now we feel much more safer about coming the the US, we feel hope in the air, we feel the positive energy that change has already brought. I want to thank you all, specially those who worked very hard to help Obama win, scarifies their time, put a lot of energy and efforts to help.
Thank you, Mabrook, God bless you. See you soon
Vera and Aead
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