ride

I came up the hard way, struggling, suffering, the worst, most horrible childhood one could imagine. It has made me strong, hardened, a true survivor. I usually show very little emotion, only those closest to me ever see me weak. But today, today I wept like a child, and I say it for all to hear.

Today I watched the world change. I watched a black man be sworn in as the leader of one of the strongest and greatest nations on earth. And I watched this knowing he was put there by a true mandate, a majority of the American people demanded his leadership. I watched the dreams of a people move a little closer to reality.

My thoughts are with Abraham Lincoln, Dr.King, W.E.B. DuBois, Rosa Parks and the countless others who struggled, fought and died for this, and now watch down upon us from the beyond. If they could be here to witness this monumental change, they would be the ones weeping.

I wept today not from sadness, but from joy. I am filled with hope, hope for our nation, for our people, for our progress. The world is changing, and for the first time since the birth of my son, I am filled with hope. I see what is possible, what is possible for my life, my son's life, and for the future of our society.

Despite all of the loss, sadness and changes I am enduring now in my life, today, today I am filled with hope, joy and tears of happiness.