Hopes... and Gripes

Tuesday I deliberately did not make any plans because I wanted to watch the inauguration. Happy that Barack Obama was elected in the first place, and even happier that finally our country might begin to see some positive changes (albeit at a snail's pace-there is so much work to be done to pull us out of the economic mire that we are now stuck in), I was eager to bear witness to the momentous event of our country's first bi-racial man being sworn into office. Watching this event gave me some hope-hope not only that our country can once again rise to prosperity (for everyone, not just the priviledged few), but also that maybe, just maybe, with a President in office who is able to see a larger view of the world, that we also will learn to do so. While race relations in our nation are much better than they were ten, twenty, or thirty years ago, we still have much room for improvement. Some of the comments I heard during the Presidential campaign were simply ugly; in my naivete I'd thought that most people had outgrown that sort of ignorance. Thankfully, this stale, old prejudicial attitude was not the norm. Obviously, we've grown as a country and as a collective people, because Senator Obama is now President Obama, and the eyes crying with joy during the inauguration ceremony belonged to people of all color, nationality, and religion (I can't verify the religion part, but I'm sure it's true). I love that now little kids of all ethnicities can dream of greatness with hope in their hearts.

As far as my gripes today, they aren't really that important. Hubby and I are dealing with the world of mortgage loans and real estate agents and it's been an interesting and busy four months. We still aren't sure if we will be able to buy the home we've been hoping to purchase; first it seemed as though the loan would go through, but now we're not sure. The banks seem to change their minds like the weather changes in New England, and we are existing in a sort of limbo, not sure if we can begin to pack or if we should sign another year's lease. It's frustrating, but it's just something we need to keep plodding through. We'll have an answer soon enough, and if it's meant to be that we buy this place, then we'll be living there in a couple of months. Time will tell; all we can do is put forth the effort and hope for the best!