SUMMONING A NEW SPIRIT
When the Persian Gulf War erupted in the summer of 1990, I was nine-years-old and verging on my 10th birthday. Over those warm months out of school, I spent most of my days wandering my Oma and Opa’s farm barefoot under the sun instead of with friends. I’d spend hours in the garden and bird aviary with my Opa when I wasn’t indoors with my Oma. She suffered from Multiple Sclerosis and therefore was generally confined to sitting on the sundeck or watching TV.
Though I was far too young to appreciate soap operas (and I still don’t), my Oma loved them and I was more than happy to keep her company on those afternoons. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and before long, my Oma’s beloved soap operas were endlessly pre-empted for Persian Gulf War news coverage. Every image that my nine-year-old eyes laid sight on was of sand and tanks and military figures and Saddam, Saddam, Saddam. I was frustrated and childishly upset that we couldn’t watch our shows together all due to a “stupid war.”
The Persian Gulf War ended some months later, and some years after that I entered junior high en route to high school. There I took classes in social studies, history and comparative civilizations. Were I to enroll in these courses today, I would no doubt find them interesting while also understanding the relevance behind the events. In seventh grade, however, all my classmates and I could do was roll our eyes and question why we had to learn about something that seemed to hold no significance to a group of young teenagers.
Flash forward to November, 2008: I am now only weeks away from my 28th birthday and my world view is also that much older. The bombs dropped on Hiroshima, Japan decades before I was born. The Vietnam War broke out when my mom was just a teenager. I was only eight when the Berlin Wall crumbled and just 20 the day the towers collapsed in Manhattan. I am 27 and last night witnessed a country stand up for change and overwhelmingly elect Barack Obama as their next President.
The significant events in history are equally important to the events that happen in this world every single day. They are directly impactful on the life I live today. I live in a country where I can walk down the sidewalk and wear the clothes that I choose, believe in the faith that I choose, vote for the policiticians that I choose and make the choices that I want. That kind of freedom does not come without considerable cost.
Yesterday morning, as I went for my daily Americano as I normally do, there was a man on the corner of Hornby and Robson streets dressed in military fatigue, handing out poppies for Remembrance Day. He was quite old and I would venture to guess that he fought with Canada during World War II. He smiled warmly at me as I placed money in his collection box before allowing him to pin a poppy to my lapel. I looked down at his frail hands as they proudly placed the deep red flower over my heart. As his eyes then met my own, I considered all the things he has probably seen in his lifetime. It was all that I could do to blink back the tears that so desperately wanted to fall in gratitude.
History is not the stuff that text books are made of, nor is it comprised of a number of events that happened long before our time as individuals. History is happening on each corner of this planet, every single day. Last night, hot tears streamed down my face as the future President of the United States stressed the importance of United States, no matter a person’s income, sexual orientation, skin colour or belief. He spoke of hope and of peace while offering realistic optimism. As President-Elect Barack Obama so eloquently stated, “this victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change.” [Source]
Like countless others across my country, across the United States and all over the globe, I woke this morning with a renewed sense of hope. I am a part of what will soon be known as history that has helped shape this world – my world – and the world that my children will some day live within. I can’t help but feel as though we as united people are about to experience the current of our river flow in a new direction as we all venture forward with both vigilance and great anticipation.
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12 Comments
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I saw that man but I was on the bus. I’ll wear a poppy even though my family didn’t fight for Canada – however they did fight so that *I* could be Canadian.
Although… there is a rise in “white poppies for remembrance” – DaveO could tell you all about that.
Thank you for this post, it means a lot.
That renewed sense of hope was unprecidented this morning.
During Obama’s speech last night, I couldn’t fight back the tears either. Tears of relief and tears of joy streamed down my face as I watched and listened. Barack Obama embodies progress and advancement. He is truly a shining example of what is possible if you live your life with fierce hope.
This entry is absolutely beautiful, Keira.
Isn’t is amazing how each generation has it’s own multitude of events which shape the future.
Very well written Keira. My goodness you are young!
Great post. My friends and I had an election get-together night last night. While discussing politics and the Canucks we were amazed that Bush has been in power for 8 years. 8 years… that’s close to 1/3 of my life time.
I was actually going through the initiatives some American voted on. Three of them were on banning gay marriage and all three got passed. While electing Obama is a step forward, I think banning gay marriage is certainly a step backward in today’s society.
Very well said.
(I especially appreciate the choice of quote you included from Barack Obama’s speech)
Beautiful post Keira! I think many of us share the same feelings as the ones you expressed, I know I do, as I had tears of my own streaming down my face, eyes fixed to the screen as Obama gave his speech.
I sat for hours in front of the TV and my computer, twittering away, BBC in one ear on my head phones and MSNBC in the other. I think we all shared an experience together last night. I truly felt a ripple go through the crowds and I’m sure around the world.
I spoke with a friend from San Fran last night and we celebrated for a moment over the phone. and friends from Australia and Italy and they were so elated!!
I just feel so proud, and like you- I owe it all to the history that wrote itself before my existence. I can’t wait to see what the future brings! I love how you said, ..”He spoke of hope and of peace while offering realistic optimism”.
I couldn’t have been said better.
Very nice. It was a very magical night.
Brilliant writing. Thank you for that post.
Excellent post. I have hope for my countrymen (and women!) again, and it’s been many years since I could say that.
Very beautiful post. And I’m sincerely happy to see everyone from outside the U.S. being as excited as the people from there. It’s rather amazing, and to be honest, that, more than anything, is what gives me hope. It’s nice to know that so many of us are looking in a new direction.