by Cherilyn Kyle

Created on: February 10, 2009

A Dream Was Born

No ones knows when the dream was born in the heart and mind of one young man. This dream grew slowly within him, until one day, he could not hold it in himself any longer, and he spoke of it aloud for the first time to his wife. She listened, and cautioned him gently, thinking it was not time for him to act on it. However, he persisted, so strong was his belief in himself and his ability to make it happen, that she calmed her own fears and vowed to stand beside him no matter the outcome. Knowing what the costs could be and all the problems that could arise, together they stepped out into national spotlight and followed that dream.

It started slowly, with only that single announcement to the world. He wanted to be the leader of the United States. At first, the result was to be expected, low turnouts at his rally's and only friends to help move him forward. However, slowly, his dream caught the hearts of many who heard his dreams, his passion. It was like a virus that spread faster than butter melting on pancakes hot off the griddle.

I watched the stories on the news as his dream grew faster than the news could keep up with it. There were those who said, "It will never happen," repeatedly, but they might as well have remained silent for all the attention their proclamations got. I watched the dream grow until it became a promise to work for; they became a possibility that was going to happen. With each speech, they became more real, more vivid, more alive with each day, with each rally, until his dream became the battle-cry that overshadowed the ones who dared to say, "No, he can't," as we answered, Yes We Can!

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, I watched with millions of others around the world, as this man's dream was fully realized and Barrack Obama took the oath of office for the President of the United States in Washington D.C In the faces and hearts of everyone on that frozen day, his dream, their dream, glowed on their faces, lit up their eyes with pure unadulterated hope. Tears of joy froze on their faces and yet the tears continued to flow, the unabashed joy and hope that flowed in them could not be stopped by the frigid temperatures that froze them in place on icy cheeks. I too cried with pride, pride that my country rose above hatred and bigotry to elect this unknown, untried black man. To give him, and us, a true chance to move forward in leaps and bounds and become what we always wanted to be, the United States of America.

I was one of them,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>