Commentaries

November 14, 2008

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An open letter to young citizens

November 5, 2008
A letter from a 53-year old woman to younger folks who might not realize what a big day this is.

Dear young people:
I want to share my feelings today, simply because what has happened means so much to me. I want to give you a little look through a window into my heart. I hope you mark this momentous time we are blessed to witness. Today I feel full of hope and am also very aware of many real dangers facing our human family. I pray that our country will be healed, that our society will become active in finding new solutions to our many problems!

Hurraaay! I want to say "Thank you Barack for having the courage to follow your heart and do what you were born to do - to speak the truth to our nation and the world. Your time has come and we recognize your gifts and your goodness and we gladly accept your commitment to help our beloved country become what it is capable of becoming at this time in history. We have really needed you!"

I feel overjoyed today! It was 40 years ago that I heard such great oration stir crowds to action. Back then Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy were able to speak to and arouse the hearts of their listeners. I remember feeling so full of hope and pride in our potential as a society. I know I was just a child when I saw them speak on television, but it was not an experience you forget...that feeling of being so uplifted and encouraged. They spoke to my heart - and I felt the same thing when I first heard Obama speak 4 years ago at that convention and every time he's made a speech since then. A gifted speaker is wonderful to hear, but one with the message that resonates with most people is truly rare. Abraham Lincoln had the gift too, and used it for moving our country forward. These great messengers are few and far between, so take note. Let his words sink in. They speak to the highest level of our being: our potential.

Of course it takes more than a leader. There must be followers who do their part, too. I just cry when I think of all the good people who worked so long and so steadily to transform a glimmer of hope into reality. Thousands have died to make this day possible. I am grateful to all those who refused to give up their belief in possibilities, to those who held fast to their dreams, who dared to hope for a better, more humane society. Over time, the number of those who kept the dream alive steadily grew, and when the leader appeared, the followers answered his call with a hearty "yes!"

This morning I saw Maya Angelou on television reflecting on Obama's victory. She said, "Our country has finally grown up!" That is a beautiful way of putting it! At least we have evidence that a substantial number in our country have moved up to a new level of consciousness and are willing to keep on trying to make our world a better place for all people. I am so grateful today for every little act of kindness and decency that every single person has done throughout the years that brought us, including those kicking and screaming with fear of the unknown, to this point where we can once again IMAGINE a better future, a brighter day for humanity. Every act of kindness... no matter how small, helps to move us a step closer to what God has planned for us. I really believe that. Good is more powerful than evil! Love is more powerful than hate! Time bears this truth out. Alleluia! I think God likes to see us grow in love. I think today we, as a nation, are blessed with at least a sense of relief, that for a time we can breath in the sweet, freshness of hope and possibility and can let go of the bitter, sour, angst that has held us in a death grip for so long.

You are witnesses. A courageous man did not give up when others tried to discourage him, mocked him, made false accusations about him, and even demonized him. A good man did not shy away from inviting each of us to remember the deepest hopes laying quiet in our hearts: peace, respect, even love for one another. We can all learn and be inspired by this man whose faith in goodness is now visible to the whole world at this peak moment in our history. His task is enormous. His enemies (our enemies) are determined. And he is only human. So, our new president will need our positive efforts, our encouragement, support and earnest prayers for clear thinking, accurate information, and able associates as he begins to make decisions on behalf of our country. I wish him and ALL of our leaders well. I pray that we are able to trust and support our leaders as we have not in some time, and that we really work to become a better people than we are today. Today, I rejoice and give thanks that we got to witness this turn of events. I hope you take a moment to reflect, too, and to believe in your dreams, no matter what others say to discourage you.

P. S. Many see this whole thing as just a contest with "winning" and "losing" sides. I don't see it that way. I believe we are all connected and we all sink or swim together as a society. So I just wanted to tell you what's in this one little heart - without it leading to debate or analysis. I don't view elections as games like football or baseball. I see them as just a part of our journey...where we each get to voice our opinions and try to find a common good that will enhance the lives of all of us. I just felt the urge to tell you something about myself (risking that some of you might not care, yet hoping that some of you will take note and tuck away a piece of me in your heart today. I love you all and want all that is good to come about for you in your lives!

Marilyn Adams Maiser
Waconia, Minn.

[Maiser sent this letter to her adult children, nieces and nephews on the day after Barack Obama was elected. She removed their names and other personal references, addressed it to "young people" and submitted the letter to Minnesota Public Radio. Submit your own commentary for possible publication.]


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