Magic...magic, wonder...I love those words. The magic that a story can weave in a child's mind or heart...the magic simple words or even one word can do - evoke a memory, a call to action, or pure joy.
Writer's Island asked us to describe magic and there are many avenues to take this topic...Maybe I'll write about it all week! There's an idea...a magic pill to sustain my energy and desire to write all week?
Today I choose to write about a magic moment. Yesterday, Obama came to Boise. It was admirable at best. We're a very red state. And yet, yesterday people came in droves to see this charismatic speaker - 14,000 to be exact - that's all the stadium would hold, and about 2,000 were turned away. Even Boise State didn't expect that many people and had to open the stadium to maximum capacity.
The magic of the moment was that these people weren't just there as Democrats in support of Obama. There were Republicans and independent parties and people of all faiths...Romney supporters right behind me. Why were they there? Because in this country, we are allowed to be curious...to entertain the thought of going outside ourselves, our party, our faith, our beliefs to observe the humaness and the gifts of others. We can come united in purpose...or we can just explore what another has to offer. We are allowed to figure out who this man is and how he might be a possibility of "change" for the future.
And when Obama walked in, and people stood up in honor, in recognition, in admiration, patriotic tears rolled down my face and my chest swelled with pride that I get to live in such a dynamic country. Words, obviously, can't describe the moment. I'm sure I would have felt the same if McCain or Romney or any other candidate came. What I liked about Obama is that he reached out, across party lines and despite the odds that we are a Republican state, and that as he puts it "we don't look much like him." He is definitely an underdog, but he didn't care. He reached out to the people.
Hopefully people continue to go beyond themselves and look at all the candidates in this way. Disregard the hate ads, that hate e-mails...and read and listen and watch for themselves ALL they can about someone. I remember the days when I heard a hate e-mail and immediately stopped thinking. I hope I'm beyond that now.
For now, I shall glow in the magic of the moment when our country was truly "united."
Here's a link to our local t.v. station (where the picture came from) if you want to see.
We are presented with multitude of magical moments in our lifetime, it is for us to recognize and seize them. You completely got hold of this rare magical moment as described because you recognized it, you have an open mind and heart, and as a gift you were showered with the joy it brings as you seized the moment. A few people would have look at the event the way you do. Politics is politics. Who would expect somebody from the crowd seeing this the way you do in a far different light. You are a happy person because you are grateful.
I wish you well.
~ Jeques
Posted by: Jeques | February 03, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Hi Marie! I really enjoyed this post and how you talked about being allowed to be curious and exploring what another has to offer. This is really nice. I'm so glad you got to see Barack Obama -- I got to see him not too long ago too, and it was such a wonderful thrill. And I also like your idea about writing about magic all week long -- this sounds fun!
:)
Posted by: Clare | February 03, 2008 at 09:42 PM
When I came aceoss this prompt I didn't expect myself to be reading about politics! This must be the most original take on the subject by far and such a change from the deep, meaningful and often dreary pieces I've read elsewhere. Thank you!
Posted by: keith hillman | February 04, 2008 at 04:01 AM
Nice post! He does carry magic... I've read many derogatory slams against him...it takes an effort to keep from joining in the ugly fray - Idaho here -
Posted by: Tumblewords | February 04, 2008 at 12:41 PM
"Because in this country, we are allowed to be curious...to entertain the thought of going outside ourselves, our party, our faith, our beliefs to observe the humaness and the gifts of others." ....so very well said. Bravo!
And it is in that going outside of ourselves and become curious of what others might offer and not become close minded where we learn, where we grow, where we CHANGE.
Posted by: rebecca | February 04, 2008 at 07:02 PM
i don't know much about US politics. So I can't comment other han, I liked reading your post.
BTW, I accepted your award.
Posted by: gautami tripathy | February 05, 2008 at 02:11 AM
In reply to your comments, firstly thank you for visiting. Secondly, i'm very glad if i have helped remind or guide in any way, and thanks for lettign me know.
Regarding Imbolc, it's a pagan festival of lights.
It's generally a time to celebrate the coming of spring: the word Imbolc means "in the belly" or "in milk" as ewes come into milk for the first lambs.
General customs are spring cleaning, consecrating and cleansing the house (basically getting rid of negativity and clearing it for new growth as such), lighting candles and using "spring" water (collected rain or from streams) in cooking and cleansing.
Personally, I just light a candle and some incense and keep to a small prayer or wish, and then have a nice bath (cleanse the body). I guess that's one thing that's so good about Paganism is that you fit the religion around you, rather than trying to tweak yourself to fit in.
This year I used lavender oils and gave my hands and feet massages, and did some creative writing and drawing to go with it, but I'm in college, so exams and coursework took most of my perparation time.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. =)
Stars Above,
~Celestial Rose~
Posted by: Rose | February 09, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Marie, link it again. You have linked the writer Island thread there.
Posted by: gautami tripathy | February 11, 2008 at 08:28 PM