Trina Hoefling Untethered

Soon after the election I caught a commit made by Whoopie Goldberg, where she said something about feeling like she fully “belonged” here as an American citizen for the first time. That she could finally put down her suitcase. Her comment / commitment resounded inside me with familiar but as yet inarticulate feelings. I, too, feel like a committed patriot moving past history and hurt and fury, settling in for the long haul as an activist American again. Can’t say worry has fully disappeared, or that I am blind to all the work left to be done – from the obvious to the irony of Proposition 8 on the same day we elected our first black president.

Always hopeful and sometimes frustrated, frequently worried and occasionally overwhelmed, but in. Fully in.

I’m still taking this in. I would not be surprised if we look back on McCain’s concession speech and know that this – his best and most important speech of his life – did as much to heal the rift in America as the country did by choosing President-Elect Obama.  McCain implored us to be the best that we are, and beautifully demonstrated deep and true patriotism. A gracious introduction into the next chapter of our regenerative nation.