Historical for me...not for my kids

Last night was history in the making for millions of Americans. Joe and I watched the poll returns all night. The moment Senator Obama was declared the next President of the United States is one I will never forget. The feeling I had, that many across the country had, is best summed up in Obama's slogan - YES WE CAN!!!!! I felt as if I were living in a movie minute when the country has united in a victory - like in Armageddon after the asteroid has been blown up or in Independence Day when the aliens have been defeated. Some of the most important values I want to teach my kids are to accept differences and treat everyone equally. I know that everyone has their prejudices and too many people stereotype. I live my life ignoring stereotypes and try to not pass judgement on others. I say try, and I am sorry that I do have to try, because no one is perfect. I work on certain prejudices that may creep into my life, and for the most part, I truly believe I am accepting of everyone. Joe and I have tried to expose our kids to all walks of life, so that they do not look down at others, so that differences that do exist are just that differences but not inequalities or disabilities. That no one is better than anyone else because they make more money, they have a certain color of skin, they are in a "normal" relationship. And while having an African-American President is a huge deal for me, for Joe, for most of this country, it will not be a big deal for my kids and that is a GOOD thing!! I am hoping that for the next eight years, when the President comes on TV, my kids will see Obama before them and think nothing of the fact that he is African-American. I hope that this is a step towards erasing racial divides in our country. I hope that President Obama is just the first of many "minorities" that will lead our country during my kids' lives. For my kids, the thrill of this victory is not that Obama is African-American, but that mommy once worked with this great man. For me, it is that I truly believe our country will now be in the right hands. And that while all the problems will not be solved overnight, our country is headed in the right direction. Today, I am proud to be an American.