Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Hope and Happiness.....

Renaissance Sisters 24x30
We won!...better yet the world won!.....Ok, so now what?

A generation ago, President John F. Kennedy called on Americans to serve their country and they overwhelmingly responded. If you have not paid close attention to Barack Obamas' speeches....he has also consistently talked about a New America with the same universal and charismatic vision as Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Please read the plan (through the link above) if you have not yet and I hope we can all join together to improve this country and this world. Here are just a few of the words remembered last night from Obama's speech at Grant Park. Obama talks about bottom-up solutions to the economy, to democracy. Echoing that vision, he said last night:


"Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where we work harder and look after each other . . . In this country we rise and fall as one nation, as one people."
"The new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To all those who have wondered whether America's beacon still burns bright . .tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. ."

There are hundreds of millions, perhaps billions of people who suddenly can believe that they can do anything.....anything......and I am one of them. We have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.This is fundamental to my beliefs. All my life I have believed that party politics and in most cases organized religion separates people rather than uniting them. We have before us a man who has not used the race card, the religious card or the party card to any extreme. In the next few yearsI hope to see hands across the aisle, the borders and the oceans in unity as mankind. I have lived my life and raised my children with this belief. I believe in touching one person at a time by example and the Golden Rule. I strive continuously for excellence in my life. I am far from perfect and it hurts that I am not. I hope we can all come together as Mr. Obama stated last night.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there."

"There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. "

I ask you...How can anyone let these words fall on deaf ears. I for one am more than happy to do what ever it takes....doors knocked on or steps traveled....I hope to see this country restored to it's former level of respect and grandeur. Our standards of education raised. A country where the thought of color is not even a thought...but an appreciation for cultures and lifestyles that are simply interesting and valuable to who we are. A country where we see kindness and thoughtfulness and hard work and hope at every level from the youngest to the oldest.

I am here, in the last half of my life, to do what I can do.

Sincerely, Theresa

20 comments:

Barbara Muir said...

You are one moving writer, I'll tell you that. I've been saying something similar in all my classes today, although not nearly as well as you've said it.

I am happy, and everyone I've met all day is in a state of dazed elation -- that hope really can happen, things really can begin anew for our children, and theirs. That from now on the whole world is a different place.

I wish I could give you a hug. Feel it across the miles.

Love,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

I was so excited about your blog, I forgot to mention that the painting is beautiful -- rich and joyous.

Take care,

Barbara

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Barbara...I cannot tell you how much that means to me. I write about what I feel and try to stay in touch with my humanity however flawed it may be. I appreciate your genuineness that is why we are friends and yet have never met. Yes, we are all walking in a dream that this really is attainable. I cyberspace hug and a peck on the cheek to you too! I am thrilled you like the painting....it is one that everyone likes...but the judges in the art shows don't. Oh well....just as I speak from the heart so do I paint....and I will continue that way for the rest of my life. I haven't changed in 60 years and don't see that I will now. Just a littlle more mellow!

Anonymous said...

Inspiring words and work!!!

Anonymous said...

Theresa- you've really added so eloquently to Obamas' acceptance speech the many things I've felt to my bones for years, most especially the past 8.

Your words travel far on this blog and if I've learned from the telescopic effect of this media, I realize if we all continue this vision, it will happen.

His simple reminder too, that it's time for parents to take their childrens' futures into their own hands, read to them, go over their homework, and turn off the TV.
How simple. How effective.

Oh, we are so brimming with hope here too, on this island in the Caribbean with a long and burning etching of slavery.

This singular event, considering what has to be cleaned up that put us in the abyss we've tottered away from, will be the most historical promise of our time.

I'm with you in thoughts.

And your painting is so serene,aptly named and really deserves a posting of it's own!

Best to you,
Bonnie

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you...thank you Bonnie.....you do not go unnoticed. I believe if we all can keep these positive thoughts in tune with each other...it WILL happen! You are an eloquent writer and painter, Bonnie....thank you once again!

craigstephens said...

Hi Theresa,
I'm glad you found my blog so I could follow the trail back to yours!
Very well said! You've got some great paintings here as well. I particularly enjoyed your landscapes.

Peggi Habets Studio said...

"A country where the thought of color is not even a thought...but an appreciation for cultures and lifestyles that are simply interesting and valuable to who we are."

So true, so true. I hope to live to see the day when that is the case.

Your painting is beautiful btw. What medium is it, pastel?

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks Theresa,

What an exciting time. I know that if
everyone here is trying to determine
what Obama's next steps will be, that he is working extremely hard on a plan. Of course he'll make mistakes, of course there will be so much he has no control over, but he knows that the people care, and care deeply. That will be the force and power that will govern him. That's why we all have so much hope.

Love,

Barbara

David Lobenberg said...

I can hardly wait to see Obama's family in the White House and a more thoughtful man as president. McCaine's concession speech was extremely moving. He's a good man.

Art By Erika said...

Your painting BEAUTIFULLY illustrates the national elation of spirits and maybe in some cases INTERNATIONAL! I've been congratulated with some email from overseas that they approve! How wonderful of them to take notice and to be happy for us.

So much to say with emotions bursting. I had goosebumps when they announced his victory through McCain's concession speech and Obama's acceptance speech. Wednesday morning I woke up with tears FINALLY! I feel the hope and joy for mankind. He isn't the Messiah as some people say to mock us. He is simply a beacon to mirror so we too can walk the earth with integrity and so our future generations will yield honorable leaders. I wish I could have gone to Springfield MO to meet him, I didn't realize I had a couple friends who went. Way to go Theresa!

Anonymous said...

I felt a bit like dancing myself. The painting is wonderful. So are the prospects for the future. Obama has to know he's in for one heck of a bumpy ride. Noone is going to fix what ails us right now in a short time and there will be some who'll fight him every step of the way. He's strong I think so I say let's do it. I have a friend who'll just love reading this post.I'll forward you on.
EW

VickiRossArt said...

Hello, Mz Theresa!
Erica wondered why you and I weren't posting on each other's blogs...she is such a dear heart! I told her we were both just busy! I finally got 200 or so emails out of my box I've been saving for reading and savoring.

Love your words. I felt the same way, had goose bumps while he was speaking the other night. Friend Kippy in France said she and Jerome went to Paris so they could watch TV...she was so excited she stayed up until 6:30am their time to hear the speeches.

I'm glad to see that we as a country are finally getting involved to fix what the fatcats have done to us. What we allowed them to do, while we were all a bit guilty of looking for the pot of gold at the end of their rainbow.

vicki

Theresa Rankin said...

Craig...Thank you for taking a look an appreciating the work and words... I will be checking yours out again~! Hope to see you back!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you so much anon!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Peggi for your visit and comments....let us not give up hope but continue to strive towards the dream. The painting is oil....which I work in exclusively. One day I will buy a really good set of pastels and give it a whirl.....I love some of the effects on sanded paper I have seen!

Theresa Rankin said...

Yes David....it is memorable and exciting and President elect is an extremely thoughtful individual!! I have deep respect for Senator McCain's past and for some of his ideals. I wish him only the best in the future in all things.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Erika for sharing your thoughts...and I could not agree more! I too have received notes from overseas and watched for some time Mr Obamas growing approval from other countries....it can only help us. Yes it will take time...and I trust that his decision process will have great foresight before it is acted on. It is an amazing time.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Eldon and I agree with everything you said...it is not an overnight fix, obviously...and to paraphrase what Bette Davis once said "Buckle your seat belts; It's going to be a bumpy ride!" I am in as are thousands and thousands of others!! Thank you for the forward!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Bravo Red!!! Tell it like it is....yes we all have a share in the down side as we can also have a share in the up side.... Busy does not even begin to explain the past while!!!! I haven't posted in a week!!