An Open Letter to My Son

Dear Mekhi,
It is the eve of the most historic Presidential election in my lifetime and I am sure in the history of the United States. The race is between an African –American man with the unlikely name of Barack Obama and Senator John McCain whose running mate is a woman. If either of this men get elected it will make history.

Senator Obama is the child of a white mother and a Kenyan father. He was primarily raised by his grandmother – who unfortunately passed away today before seeing the outcome of the election. He is a graduate of Harvard, the first African – American editor of the law review, and spent a good deal of his life after law school as a community organizer in Chicago. The child of a single mother, his life clearly is an illustration of the American dream fulfilled.

I believe that Senator Obama is the best man for the job. His platform is Change and I do believe that after having the Republicans in office for eight years it is high time for a change. Our economy is in shambles, we are in a recession and we need forward thinking in the White House.

I proudly voted for him in both the primary and the general election. The primary race was a hard one, he ran against Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of President Clinton. She fought a hard race but in the end our man came out on top. I have to share with you that placing my vote for Senator Obama in the primary was surreal. I could not believe that I was casting my vote for a black man for the highest office in the land – no, the world.

Senator Obama gave his acceptance speech on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial. It was history that I shared at home with my mother, your grandmother. She is writing a letter to you too. We want you to be able to share our memories of this time with your children and grandchildren.

Whenever I think of the possibility of Senator Obama becoming President tears well up in my eyes. I am listening to the tv and at 11:00 pm at night people are already lining up to vote in Atlanta. They are camping out and holding a prayer vigil. Tomorrow I will be volunteering for the Obama campaign and providing food and beverages for the people waiting in line to vote. I voted early, the long lines were anticipated and I thought my time would be of better use assisting others on the day of the Election.

Regardless of the outcome this gives me hope. Hope that my beautiful baby boy will have the opportunity to dream of becoming the President of this nation and that it can actually be a reality. In 17 years when you are able to vote I hope that this election will not seem as unique and unusual as it does today.

I am sorry if this letter rambles, I am writing without editing or concern for form or fashion. I will leave you with something that I read today that resonates with me. Hopefully it will stay with you forever.
"Rosa sat so Martin could walk.
Martin walked — so Barack could run.
Barack ran so our children can fly."



Fly Mekhi fly. This Presidential race proves that there is truly nothing beyond your reach.

I love you.

Mommy




Comments

Unknown said…
I am sitting here in tears after reading this beautiful letter to your son.
Anonymous said…
Awww, that is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful
Maternal Mirth said…
Simply. Beautiful.

I am happy you wrote this for a little boy who will one day know the importance of his mother's imprint on the U.S.

:)
Anonymous said…
I am tearing as I read this. I too am writing a post about the election and yours just proved how important this race is. Thanks you for sharing this historical event with your child.
Erin said…
Beautiful. And I am filled with hope for the change we need. I can only hope that in four years, you'll be writing a letter to Mekhi about Obama running for his second term.
Allison said…
Wow, I have goosebumps!!! Thanks for sharing something so personal!
Anonymous said…
I woke up early this morning in order to cast my vote for Obama. Renee, your letter is simply beautiful, I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face. Barack's journey deepens my faith...."Nothing is impossible with God"

Thanks for the inspirational letter.
Vodka Mom said…
I just loved that. What a gift you have given him.
María said…
That was beautiful.

I'm headed out to volunteer as well. fingers crossed!!
What a great way to record your thoughts about the state of our country and capture the moment for him so he can read about it years from now when he is old enough to understand what it means.

I've said this before, I usually don't comment on political posts or spend too much time sharing my views about politics with others because it incites things in people that are often irrational or at the very least, cause dissention when "all we need is love."

But, I wanted to let you know how moved I was by your letter. I am a republican, and although I do examine things by the issues, and am voting Democratic from some local elections, I have never voted for a Democrat for President. But the passion in your letter and your clear and proud faith in your candidate is just awesome. That is what makes this country so great!

Plus Renee, you have a way of not supporting your candidate but not offending those who don't. Your opinions are real and passionate but not angry and irrational like so many others on both sides.

I just wrote a book in this comment.... Basically Renee, YOU ROCK!

Enjoy your day helping out at the polls!
Anonymous said…
Beautiful and very moving. Quite eloquently written. I do hope your man wins.
Mandy said…
Hi! I am stopping over from SITS. What a wonderful way to document this election for your son. Although I did not vote for Obama, I see and appreciate the history that is taking place before our very eyes. This post is very moving and even a Republican can see that. :) I need to do the same for my sons. Thank you for the inspiration.
Unknown said…
That was an absolutely beautiful letter. I will not be voting for Obama but I love the idea of writing to my children expressing why I thought it was important to vote for the candidate I did and share with them the history that is taking place.
Very Lovely Renee. I feel the same way. I was at the polls at 5:30 this morning. I patiently await the outcome and pray for the best. I also keep Senator (President) Obama in my prayers. Have a great day!
Ali said…
Beautiful quote! Obama was not my first choice but I'll be glued to my tv tonight hoping he can pull this off.
Pseudo said…
Moring from the SITS roll call. I'm off to vote for Obama and reading the letter to your son was a great way to start my day.
Aracely said…
That was very smart of you to document this moment for Mekhi. Beautifully written... and I can't wait for the outcome tonight.

You know a part of me wants our man to win desperately, and the other part will miss Tina Fey as Palin so desperately! I'm surprised you didn't mention that in the letter ;)
Julie said…
Beautifully written. It is an amazing day today and it's great how you're helping out. I always get excited to vote. It's important to exercise that right. I love your site and your son is ADORABLE!
Anonymous said…
Wow - inspiring....
Anonymous said…
That is a beautiful message to your son. I am so hopeful today...and nervous. I'm hoping and praying that I see the outcome I've been wishing for for the last year and a half!
Barbara said…
Very beautiful. I am sure he will appreciate you taking the time to share this historic moment with him when he is older.

Although she is still unaware of the magnitude of this, Miss J. is already appreciative of the experience.
Dejoni said…
Wow...how poignant.
Well written.
Maude Lynn said…
This is a gorgeous letter and a fabulous idea!
Very well written! Brava!
San Diego Momma said…
Wonderful letter, and inspirational to boot. You do that well. I'm so excited and humbled to be in the midst of history being made and you helped sum my thoughts up perfectly.

I can't wait for the election results! It's going slow as molasses!!!
Haasiegirl said…
thats really sweet.

I just have to interject and say that change will just happen, no matter WHO is elected. Change is something that we do not control, and its not made by only one person, but rather, a shift regardless of who is voted in.

~Trisha
What a beautiful sentiment Renee. But I am sure with a mother like you, Mekhi will never doubt that he can do whatever he wants to do.
Anonymous said…
One day Mekhi will have tears in his eyes as he reads the words of his mother; the one that showed HIM that he can fly.
You're quite the woman, the writer and mom.
Tena said…
Goose bumps!!!! Great post!
I rocked my vote!
Jenni said…
That brought tears to my eyes!
Anonymous said…
That was absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful way to mark such a historic event!
ImitationAngel said…
BEAUTIFUL!!
Print it, laminate it, and frame it. It is definitely a letter that he should cherish forever.
Unknown said…
This is beautiful! I think I will write something to my children...especially my son!
jmt said…
I have copied and pasted this quote if you don't mind...I have a "favorite quote of the week" on my blog and I'd like to use this. If you know who wrote/spoke it, please let me know. :) This is a great letter, and it's a story I hope to share with my sons as well. My 4 year old has been following as best he can so far. GREAT letter.
Weith Kick said…
Great letter Renee! I've been watching CNN since I got home and it is looking good for Obama!!! I was a nervous wreck all day! I feel like I can finally start relaxing!
GO-BAMA!!!
Paula said…
YAY!! Did you see Sheri Sheppard on the View this morning. She echoed your sentiments but you said it much more beautifully. Congratulations, my American friend, on your new president. If I could have voted my choice would have been the same. I'm sure I'm not the only Canadian who feels jealous of the American pride and progress demonstrated yesterday.
Anonymous said…
I have tears in my eyes - beautiful letter.

I'm Canadian but I was cheering Obama on too - I think the whole world was...
Anonymous said…
Honest, raw with emotion and full of the dreams any mother has for her child. Well said.
dcyrill said…
So eloquent and real. Your son will be proud.
Anonymous said…
Absolutely amazing letter, and the final sentiment is so beautiful and so true. I'm all choked up.
Anonymous said…
Wow! I am a very white (I have vitiligo so most of my skin has no pigment) American who voted for McCain, but your letter made me cry. I will never know through experience what African-Americans have experienced in this country. But I realize what a tremendous victory Obama's election is to all people. It speaks to the bond we all have, not as white or black or any other designation, but just that we are people--alike in many, many ways. I am glad to be alive for this historic time. While I may not agree with all of President Elect Obama's politics, I rejoice in his victory over predjudice in this country. I will pray for him. He is my President too! Thank you for your letter. It touched my heart.
Unknown said…
What a great way to share your veiws with your son. I was truly touched!
Lorie said…
What a neat letter for your son.
litanyofbritt said…
i am so proud and thankful for obama taking office come january, and i am glad to have been a part of this moment in american history. how sweet of you to catalogue it for your son!
Michelle said…
What a memorable letter to write to your son. I'm sure he'll be thrilled that you (and your mother) captured this moment for him.
Tiffany said…
What a beautiful letter... that last bit got me all choked up!
Pseudo said…
I'm glad you reposted this for letter day. I read it on election day and loved it then as well. And now I rediscovered your blog.
Julie said…
Checking in from SITS...that's a beautiful letter for your son. Even more beautiful are the wishes and dreams that are evident betweent he lines. Thanks for bringing another tear to my eye today ;)
wow. just found you from SITS and all I can say is wow! beautifully written and such a gift!
Aunt Julie said…
Hey there, SITSta! Gotta Super-Duper Giveaway that's Goin' On over at my place...please stop by when you have the chance!

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