ONLY 50 DAYS LEFT!!

Please check out this link. It amazes me the amount of damage one president can do in 8 years time.

http://www.bushlies.net/homebiglies.html

OBAMA/CLINTON WAVES....

In the past week, many political stories have surfaced about the nomination of Hillary to Secretary of State. The latest saying it will be announced Monday morning at his transition headquarters in Chicago.

Could President elect Barack be any smarter?

This man is singlehandlely moving America into the stratosphere that America used to reside. Here's a wish for a successful four years, possibly eight, of unification of global needs and American dreams.

Kudo's to you Barack. This is only one of many, many smart, strong, steps in the rebuilding and rebirth of America.

TACO BELL HYSTERICS.

My sister, Dr. Small, sent me this link. It is hysterical. I, like her, laughed the entire time....


"you go ahead and pay for it, I will mail you a check in a month!"

Enjoy!

Reflections of Turkey Day 2008.....

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.

Thanksgiving 2008.

A day of traveling. A day of Carrie Underwood. (She finally went to bed at about 10pm-Joe and I told her to save her voice for next Friday!) An overindulgence of food. A mind shattering FOUR families to share the holiday. A perfect day with my man, Joseph. The only thing missing was little Maxx, but he survived alone at home!

The day started on a wobbly foot. (Thanks Bastille and friends for a fun night of Karaoke!--Hey Dr. Small, want a vodka/tonic? LOL!!!)

Joe and I started the day at his father and stepmother's house. It was like stepping through the looking glass to past holidays and a glow for the future of our relationship. Four brothers. All nicer than the next. All with "youngsters", all with a loving partner. Pop and Mom welcomed me into the mix with open arms. Kids playing underfoot. Laughter. A sense of comfortability that I thought would never occur. I was truly amazed. I was truly humbled. Joe's family is very accepting of our life. They are very accepting of "us". No eyes batted. No weird looks. Just genuine feelings. Oh. And food. I had decided to pace myself because of the four stops in the long, torturous day of binge eating. We left there about 2pm and headed to stop number 2.

Stop number two was with my new "two" moms. Joe's mother and her life partner. Another mix of family. This family is SO like my immediate family it is frightening. Joe's mother sat with me on the front porch for about an hour. Just talking. She recently lost her mother, and I guess she could sense the longing in my heart for that "motherly" touch. Nothing heavy. No dire discussions. Just intimate small talk about our respective families and the way I am mixing into the fold of Joe's family. For the first time since my own Mother's passing, it was a warm feeling in my heart for her memory. Not a sad one for the loss of her. Intermittent conversations with the rest of family......but it really came to life when we were discussing someone else's problems. OF COURSE! I could have peed my pants when I found out they are a "young and restless" family! We ALL got excited talking about the "staches" return with Ashley, Katherine's "death", and how the teen/young adult stories need to fly out the window! (Oh, and for the record! It gives me the heebie-jeebies to think about Paul and Nikki doing the nasty!) It was great. Turkey day, part two with this family is on Saturday. I have to watch the TIVO to get caught up on Y & R before then!

We left "my new two moms" around 430-500ish to head to our third stop. Of course, we had to stop to let the Maxx-EE-Mo out. He was not happy! We had to literally carry him back into the house to get back on the road!

Uncle Edward's was stop three! All guards were down. All inhibitions out the window. We had arrived at real "families" house! Roger and John, in their best Rachel Ray impersonations, were busy little beavers stuffing and basting in the kitchen. (Cooking you freaks! Hard to believe, but cooking! not basting and stuffing each other!--And yes, they even dress alike to cook a fucking turkey!!) Uncle Edward was on his perch directing traffic with his best friend Jim. Bean.
Chris and Sophia laughing and loving. And the star of the evening-my Baxter! (Yes, I know his name is Dexter, but I love messing with Roger when it comes to this baby!)
Great food, great company. And for those of you keeping score, meal number three! Thanksgiving has new meaning now thanks to Uncle Edward and Sordid Lives. Nothing says turkey day like Leslie Jordan in drag! Chris and I pulled the short straws and got kitchen duty. (OH! Roger, don't forget that email to Rachel Ray about the disaster in the oven! The bitch! We should have flown her ass to St. Louis to clean the bottom of the oven! BTW-It was a delicous meal! You two did great!)

The time is now 8:30 and off to stop FOUR! Dr. Small and Terri's. Now, remember. We had all celebrated the night before Thanksgiving, and our own, little, precious Dr. Small drank some vodka. Vodka is not her friend! LOL!! I am sure she will post her days activities, so I won't blog hustle her story! She did a great job, she looked a little like the turkey carcass in the pan, but her food was delicous. YES...DINNER/MEAL FOUR!! Joe and I had decided on the way to stop four that we were so stuffed we couldn't eat another bite. WRONG!! It would have been un-Southern for us to turn down the offerings! In my head I likened the final stop to Sophia's return to the real world after her stint in jail. "Sophia home, sophia home." We ate, looked at sales ads (Terri and her daughters WORSHIP the day after Thanksgiving!)and made tentative plans for the weekend. It was now 10pm.

We rushed home to play with Maxx. Watch a little TV. Put our FAT pants on, and relax. We watched Old Christine, for the record-one of the funniest shows on TV right now. And guess what! We ate again! I know, fat fat water rat! I had to have me some bran flakes! If you know what I mean!! Joe tackled a turkey leg. We should have been shot!

I ended my evening as usual. Doing my crossword puzzles until I got tired. Joe on the other side watching the last episode of the "Shield". Maxx in betwixt us in doggie heaven! A perfect ending to a perfect day.

Now, in hindsight, I find it quite exhillerating that I only thought of my immediate family twice yesterday. I am moving forward. I have accepted that part of my life has ended as I knew it. I am willing to embrace whatever comes my way concerning my siblings. If nothing, so be it. If something, on new terms for all of us. I miss them, but I don't let that feeling dictate my happiness or my future any longer. My life is TOO full of loving people for me to feel as if I am missing something when it comes to family.

So, now I must get my turkey and dressing going for all my "family" that is out shopping in this madness! I told everyone to stop in anytime after 1pm for my bird and bread.

Thanks to all that made yesterday possible. I love you Joe. I love your family. I love my friends.

Sophia home, sophia home.................

Anonymous said...

The following response to my blog was left anonymously from someone who "knows" me better than I know myself. I had to share it.

Rodney, you truly need to grow up. You have SOOOOOOOOO much more than any one person could ever wish for and still you moan and groan.

You live in a beautiful home with one of the world's most beautiful men and still it never seems enough for you.

This "Whoa is me" crap really has to come to end.

It's all played out...

26/11/08 11:43 AM

First off "Anonymous".

I agree with everything you state. I am GROWING up, that is the process I am working through. Unlike your "perfect" life, or jealous "life".....I AM WORKING ON IT!

I'll tell you this. Let's trade lives for one day. One day.

You get up. Go to a shitty job where you are judged solely on the "color" of your skin. Judged for the simple fact that you can put two sentences together and form an opinion of intelligence. And when I say judge, not in the positive way. Yes, reverse racism is alive and well in 2008! Not just against gay people, but those of us not fortunate enough to have had "perfect" worlds with Mom's and Dad's, stable homes, secure pasts, strong families.....

You then get to this job, deal with "stoners" and "children".
Then with your two fifteen minute breaks try to convince potential employers that you are not as bad as it sounds.
Compound that with the fact of my "estranged" family, whom-before this incarceration-I was very included.
Add that to the pitiful wage I earn, the support I take from Joe, and my "anonymous" and close friends....
Figure in the fact that I can't leave the city limits without a permission slip.

Oh, and add in the looking over my shoulder for "forces" of the unknown. (Not unseen people, just conditioning from "rehab".)

Joe sent out an email two days ago and was very thankful for everyone in his life, especially me.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY.

You comment on the fact I live in a beautiful home with a beautiful man. VERY TRUE. But, let me ask you this? What do you see when you come into this home? (As you obviously have-"not so anonymous") Do you see two people sharing a life? Ups, downs, fights, love, struggle, and getting by.........How quick one is to judge from a posting on MY blog.

In your statement "it never seems enough for me", guess what, it doesn't. What you misjudge and misread is the context of my statements. Am I that shallow? Am I that insincere? Life should never be enough for anyone! When one starts thinking life is great and there is nothing left to accomplish or achieve, one is dead.

And for your "whoa is me" thinking? Get a grip. I am sure your "anonymous" ass has never had a low day. A day where you fall into bed and think, "damn--thank god--I survived!" Yet, you still get up, face your life, and try to move forward.

ALL PLAYED OUT? Many of my "old" friends had a problem with me coming home from prison. Many HAVE a problem that I have picked up the pieces of my life and have and am trying to move forward.

Guess what?

I don't care.

It amazes me the liberty a person takes when hid behind an "anonymous" persona. I want to thank you "anonymous", you have proved, without a doubt, my long standing ideals as to my "friends".

I started this blog, like everyone else, to share my thoughts, work through my troubles, connect with other people. (YES--other people--who don't have the perfect life of an "anonymous" person.)

I WILL NO LONGER EMAIL MY "FRIENDS" WITH MY THOUGHTS, CONCERNS, FAILURES OR TRIUMPHS. If you want to read MY "blog".....read it, express your opinion, yet, realize, everything in the universe is returned threefold.

The one thing about this posting that bothers me?

It has tainted my view of "everyone"........

I have to be honest.
Old friends.
New friends.
Anonymous friends....

The problem is this......everyone is in the same group.

I DID THE CRIME.
I PAID THE TIME.
I DEAL WITH IT EVERYDAY............

I FORCE "NO ONE" TO LIVE IT, WALK WITH ME, OR BE IN MY LIFE.....

PERHAPS YOUR "ANONYMOUS" ASS SHOULD THINK ABOUT YOUR TWO FACED LIVING AND HAVE THE BALLS TO SAY THESE AND THE MANY OTHER THINGS YOU THINK ABOUT ME TO MY FACE! PERHAPS IN OUR "BEAUTIFUL" HOME!!

Happy Turkey Day.

In the cold air that is life, sometimes we are forced to remember bad times. Forced to absorb everything full circle. Forced to face our own life. Forced to move forward when the subliminal is trying to tell you to shut down. Such is the case this week.....

It has been an interesting ride, this life of mine, for the last 4 days. Up, down, quiet, boisterous, happy, sad. I could never quite figure out why. I could never really put my finger on it. Until yesterday.

Damn.

Damn.

Damn.

Exactly 3 days to the anniversary, of a horrible incident that occurred while I was in "rehab". I had pushed this incident far, far, far out of my mind. At least I thought I had.

Yesterday at work, I was working on a brief and testimony for one of our clients. I will not give the details. I will not dwell on the subject. I will only say that it was like a slap in my face. There I was, working on this "brief" and encountering everything full circle again in my head. I could not shake it for quite some time. I went to bed last night reliving the horror of that night one year ago.........

Rough night.
Belly ache.
Mind twisting.
Maxx wet on my side of the bed.

Yet. I am thankful for the blessings of my "life".

Saturday I was extremely upset with my family.
Their complete lack of my existence.
Their complete disregard for my familial ties.
Their complete lack of common courtesy.

I am over it.

I should be ashamed of my riches. (As I post regularly)

One year ago today I was somewhere where life seemed but a dream.
An existence beyond the walls was just a folly.....

I am thankful for everyone in my life.
I am thankful for Maxx peeing on my bed.
I am thankful for the blessing of a wonderful man in my life.
I am thankful for the joy of a life full of choices........

Too many times I dwell on the pain of the past.
Too many times I think I will never get anywhere.
Too many times I overlook the obvious.
Too many times I think I need more.
Too many times I want more.

Thank you life for the life I have been given.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am truly blessed to have you in my life!

TEARS TO MY EYES

I found this pic in some of my old postings. I have to remember it and take it to heart!!

Prison of life.

As I sit here and reflect upon the last two hours of my life, my head throbs.
My heart aches.
My mind buzzes.
My soul is grateful.

Another life lesson, learned the hard way.

For months now I have been living what, I thought, was the perfect life.

Great man.
Great friends.
Great job.
Great feelings of a future success.

There is only one problem.....

I was doing it all for the wrong reason.

About an hour ago, prison ran through my mind.
In prison there is no thinking.
No world problems.
No life expectations.

I realize that my life has not changed.
I still am not doing my own thinking.
I am still following rules.
I am still trying to fit into a place where I don't belong.
I am trying to be everything for everyone but ME.

This is just a place of survival.

I feel, right now, as I did that first day I was released from prison.

Scared.
Petrified, to be exact.
Excited.
Thrilled.
and....

lonely.

I have been very fortunate since my release. Understanding, love, and support have come from the people closest in my life.

That has to change.

I am totally thankful for everyone.
I am totally thankful for my life.
I am totally thankful for my future.

I just have to do this on my own.

Someone very close just told me he tried to solve all my problems.
He said he believed in me.
He said he helped me.
He said he loves me.

The problem is this.

How am I to become my own man if I am allowing everyone, society, and my enemies to dictate my place in this/their world?

I realize I am not 18.
I realize I am being severe.
I realize I have to fix it.

My mother comes to my mind right now.
She always told me.
"Life has a price. To have the life you want, you have to decide who is going to be the highest bidder. YOU or someone else?"


What scares me is the thought that I have been bought.

Not by one, but by many.

Transformation.

In the quest for equal rights in the USA, many people have sacrificed many things. Many people have laid down their lives. Many people have transcended hate only to come out on the other side of the issue. Most, sit back, watch, and either ignore or comment. Few come to the actual actions of "standing up" for what is right.

I am proud to say that I was one of the 1,000 plus people who transcended on the Old Courthouse on November 15, 2008.

It was an awe inspiring event. I have never been witness to so much positive energy in one location.

The time has come for all of mankind to recognize the differences in their fellow human and embrace it. Not repulse it. Not refute it. Not deny it.

Peace.

NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST.

Hey all. Just wanted to drop a quick note to get everyone down to the Old Courthouse, Saturday, Noveber 15, 2008 at noon. A nationwide rally is being held in opposition of Prop 8 in California.

I have to confess. I am very excited and fired up about this rally. Posters have been made. Emails have been sent. My only hope is that we have a turnout to rival Barack's visit!

I'll post pictures from the event this weekend. Hope to see you there!

Click on the title of this post to get the St. Louis information.

STE. GENEVIEVE COUNTY!

It is with extreme pride that I give a shout out to Ste. Genevieve for choosing Barack Obama. Again, my home county has bucked the republican trend in Missouri and made the smart choice.

Here's the full story:
http://www.stegenherald.com/news/1%20news.html\

Hope....

I must confess. I must speak my mind. This week has been a troubling one. Not because of elections, racism, or gay rights. It is because of my life....

Literally.

One month ago I switched my primary care doctor from the Grace Hill Clinic to a private practice. (YEAH!!--health insurance finally!!) Initially, after my release from prison, I went to the clinic because it was all I could afford. Grace Hill was great. Friendly, helpful. Just overworked and understaffed. I got the basics done. Blood testing, routing medications, and the such. When I switched to my new doctor I had a top of the head to the tip of my feet physical examination done. THANK GOD!

Due to a "situation" in prison. I get Hep C, HIV, and STD tests done every three months. I know it seems extreme. I know it sounds like overkill. I have to be honest. (Momma is just to YOUNG and PRETTY to die or have drippy "you know what"!) I have had negative test results for the last 9 months. Only 1.25 years to go and I will give up the insane "testing" for these diseases.

I had these tests ran along with blood counts, cholesterol levels, and the routine blood work for a full physical examination.

I had an "issue" that had to be resolved with colo-rectal specialists and was referred to a different doctor/surgeon.

This is where the life altering began.

I had a small procedure scheduled and, because of my family history, a colonoscopy was ordered. (This is where it gets all Katie Couric!)

The colonoscopy was done. I had 6 polyps. SIX POLYPS. They were removed. The doctor told me not to worry they would be tested for cancer. In his opinion, four of them looked like a normal polyp but two of them had him doubting.

Talk about stressful.
Talk about reverting back to 1994.
Talk about eye opening.

In 1994, my mother was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the lungs. It was the most horrific scene in life I had, up until this point, ever witnessed. Anyone who has dealt with cancer or watched a loved one fight it, knows exactly what I am talking about. The good news. My mother beat her lung cancer. Two horrible years of chemo and radiation. Two years that changed my mother forever. (Whole different blog entry!) My mother, when she died, had been cancer free for 10+ years. The doctors had labled her a medical miracle.

In 1999, my father died of cirhossis of the liver. He drank himself to death. It was a horrible death. We later found out, after his death, he was full of cancer.

My paternal and maternal Grandmothers both died from cancer. Numerous aunts and uncles have fought it over the years.

SO....

One can understand my fear and anxiety. I, initially, kept all of this to myself. The thought of this disease entering into my world. Mind you, I had no concrete evidence other than two crazy looking polyps to base my fears. It didn't matter. Once you hear the word cancer and your life in the same sentence, life changes. To complicate matters, Joe was in Tampa, Barack was changing history, and California decided chickens, calves, and pregnant pigs get a better value of life than homosexuals. Not trying to be dramatic, but I needed something to divert my attention from "poor, pitiful me".

I researched colon cancer on the web. Talk about horror stories. I had already placed myself 6 feet in the ground.
I cried.
I laughed.
I remembered my family.

I vowed to live.

I got the initial results of the "questionable" polyps on Wednesday. They appeared pre-cancerous. I had to see a different doctor and he ordered a MRI. I had the MRI yesterday and got the results.

NO CANCER FOR NOW.

I have to be retested every six months.
I have to change the way I live my life.
I have to focus on health.
I have to focus on QUALITY OF LIFE!

All of this over 6 polyps and a tube shoved up my butt! It is easy to reflect on it now. It is not easy explaining this via the blog to my friends who knew something was off, but couldn't put their finger on it. It is even harder since I faced this alone, without my family. My real family.

I have "family" here. I love them dearly. I just couldn't come to most of them without feeling as if "here he goes again" with a new drama or new crisis. I, ultimately, had to fight this disease. My mentality was not at its best!

The good news. Rodney is still here with a fully functioning colon!
The bad news. Rodney hates changing his habits!

Being beautiful is hard enough, but now, being healthy? UGGGGG.....

Riddle me this California?

California, can I ask you something?

Chickens, calves and pregnant pigs have more rights and a better "living condition" than homosexuals? I am trying to understand the rationale between the two. People care enough about farm animals, yet-dear lord-,not homosexual couples? Propostion 2 in California sets up fines up to a $1,000.00 for the mistreatment and crowding of animals raised for consumption! IT PASSED! 63% of Californians saw this as a pressing issue and passed this law. Yet, Propostion 8 was won by the narrow, REPUBLICAN voters. I compared the demographics of the propositional voting to the presidential voting. Guess what? You got it REPUBLICANVILLE, CALIFORNIA, USA. It is almost EXACTLY the same! The California counties that McCain carried are the strongest for the Prop 8 measure to fail.

See the exact results here! http://vote.sos.ca.gov/

It is SOOOOO refreshing to know that my personal happiness and that of my fellow "homos" is not as important as a damn chickens happiness to grow and roam before it is butchered!

Uncle Edward told me this is not the last of it. President Obama will place new judges on the Supreme Court and they will overturn it as unconstitutional.

Gee.....Maybe when I am 60 I will legally be able to marry the "man" I love!

UNBELIEVABLE!!

Today just keeps rolling along. Found a few hoodies at Target for $3.99 and the cutest little hat! Maxx is crazy. He will not stop barking! I love him, but jeez!!! I won't yell at him. It is his way of "protecting" me from what/whomever. (this is not the topic of this blog.)



Okay.
Picture it.
November 5, 2008.
Approx. 4pm.
Bank of America. Chippewa and Hampton.

I have stopped to cash my payroll check. The bank is "overly-friendly" in my opinion. I had three different women ask if I needed cash back or if I was going to deposit. I needed cash back. Then they wanted me open an account. NOT HAPPENING! I go to the center of the bank and get in the line for the tellers. There is 6 of us in line. Obama news is blaring over the TV in the lobby for all to hear. It is drowning out the small talk at the teller windows. (Thank God!)

I'm dressed as a typical south city dweller. Shorts, T-shirt, and tennis shoes. There are a few men in suits. A few ladies in slack and sweater combo's. And one lady that looked like she fell off the MaryKay delivery truck. This lady caught my attention from her coiffe' and perfume smell. (Color me beautiful, she was quite dashing for a mid 60's, early 70's woman.) She was taking longer than all six of us in line to get to a teller. I went to the counter. Did my business. And the lady, color me beautiful lady, was walking towards the door to leave. I strolled past her. I held the door open for her. And this is the actual conversation.

LADY: THANK YOU, I guess you are one of the nice ones also.

ME: Excuse me?

LADY: You know, like the new president. I guess I had better get used to it.

ME: Maam, are you asking if I am bi-racial.

LADY: Oh, it is nothing bad. But "your kind" ARE GOING TO MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF THIS.

ME: I am one hundred percent caucasian. I am dark from the tanning bed. I get my manners from a proper upbringing with "thank you" and "please".

LADY: Perhaps you should try that answer on someone who believes you....

ME: (IN SHOCK!!!--as she heads for her 2007 Cadillac Seville......

I immediately was infuriated. What the hell? Have I been blind to all of this? Or has it or will it become even more of an issue?

Amazing.
2008.
The day after a history changing event.

I swear, it felt like I had been transported back to 1962.

Civil Rights?.......for who?....not me!!

This just in.....Who the hell knows if Prop 8 in California has been defeated or passed! Funny, all this talk of "equality" of races because of President Elect Obama, yet, no one has the gonads to stand up for the equality of everyone! Heaven forbid you are gay, in a committed relationship, and want a life! And just pray, that you are not homosexual living in AR-KANSAS!!! How can the government and a backwards section of the human race living in America take away the rights to care for a child? One step forward, three steps back!!

I have spoken before of gay rights. Alas, it is a moot point. I know in the thoughts of the American public, gay rights are low on the totem poll. I know we are not faced with burning crosses, or death threats--on the level that the first Civil Rights revolution had-BUT?? is that what is going to have to happen?

When does it become a reality, and not just something thought about because of a gay cousin, or brother, or co-worker.......Why can't it be thought of as a basic human right?

Why do people here in the midwest think that only "homos" in California or Vermont or "anywhere but here" want basic rights? I will tell you why. (In my opinion)

It all stems back to the old "southern" way. What happens behind closed doors-- (i.e.-child abuse, spousal abuse, incest, rape, murder, suicide)-- IS never to be discussed. Out of sight, out of mind. I have a few good friends back home who are a testament to this. Women who get raped have asked for it, kids and spouses that get abused deserved it, incest is just part of LIFE.....Insane, I know....and Yes, in the 21st century, people are still thinking like this!!

I am getting off my target here!

Back to the "homos". I am a "homo". (DUH!)

Whenever I speak about equal rights such as marriage, death, financial, illness, or children between two same sex people to my "straight" friends or associates--I, nine times out of ten, get the "if you wanted all that, why did you become gay"?

My point is this. If we, as Americans, can surpass the horror of African Americans and Whites becoming inter-racial couples (the horror was only 45 short years ago..tragic, wasn't it?).......why can't we get past the fact that two "homos" can have the same fulfilling life?

Nov 05, 2008. Statement by No on Prop 8 Campaign on Election Status
Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied.

Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted.

Given that fundamental rights are at stake, we must wait to hear from the Secretary of State tomorrow how many votes are yet to be counted as well as where they are from.

It is clearly a very close election and we monitored the results all evening and this morning.

As of this point, the election is too close to call.

Because Prop 8 involves the sensitive matter of individual rights, we believe it is important to wait until we receive further information about the outcome.

Geoff Kors
Executive Committee
NO on Prop 8

Kate Kendell
Executive Committee
NO on Prop 8

http://www.noonprop8.com/

Touching commentary.

My cuzz' just sent me this link.
It is absolutely beautiful.
I think it expresses the views of MUCH of America.
God bless her.
God bless the USA.




MONTGOMERY, Alabama (CNN) --

I heard a car door slam behind me and turned to see an elderly but spry woman heading my way.

The night before, a gang of vandals had swept through the cemetery desecrating graves, crushing headstones and stealing funereal objects.

My parents' graves, situated on a wind-swept hill overlooking the cemetery, had not been spared. A large marble urn that stood between two granite columns had been pried loose and spirited away, leaving faded silk flowers strewn on the ground.

I was holding a bouquet of them in my arms when the woman walked up and gave me a crushing hug. "Honey," she said, "you don't know me, but when I saw you standing up here on this hill, I knew that you must be one of the girls and I couldn't help myself but to drive up here and let you know how much me and my whole family loved both of your parents. They were real special people."

I thanked her for her kind words as we stood side by side gazing down at the graves of Govs. George Wallace and Lurleen Wallace.

After a few moments, the woman leaned into me and spoke almost in a conspiratorial whisper. "I never thought I would live to see the day when a black would be running for president. I know your daddy must be rolling over in his grave."

Not having the heart or the energy to respond, I gave her bony arm a slight squeeze, turned and walked away. As I put the remnants of the graveyard spray in the trunk of my car, I assumed that she had not bothered to notice the Barack Obama sticker on my bumper.

When I was a young voter and had little interest in politics, my father would mark my ballot for me. As I thought about the woman in the cemetery, I mused that if he were alive and I had made the same request for this election, there would be a substantial chance, though not a certainty, that he would put an "X" by Obama's name.

Perhaps it would be the last chapter in his search for inner peace that became so important to him after becoming a victim of hatred and violence himself when he was shot and gravely injured in a Laurel, Maryland, shopping center parking lot. Perhaps it would be a way of reconciling in his own mind that what he once stood for did not prevent freedom of opportunity and self-advancement from coming full circle; his final absolution.

George Wallace and other Southern governors of his ilk stood defiantly in the 1950s and '60s in support of racial segregation, a culture of repression, violence and denial of basic human rights.

Their actions and the stark images of their consequences that spread across the world galvanized the nation and gave rise to a cry for an end to the American apartheid. The firestorms that were lit in Birmingham, Oxford, Memphis, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Little Rock and Selma were a call to arms to which the people responded.

And now a new call to arms has sounded as Americans face another assault on freedom. For if the stand in the schoolhouse door was a defining moment for George Wallace, then surely the aftermath of Katrina and the invasion of Iraq will be the same for George W. Bush.

The trampling of individual freedoms and his blatant contempt for the rights of the average American may not have been as obvious as an ax-handle-wielding governor, but Bush's insidiousness and piety have made him much more dangerous.

Healing must come, hope will be our lodestar, humility will reshape the American conscience, and honesty in both word and deed will refresh and invigorate America, and having Barack Obama to lead will give us back our power to heal.

My father lived long enough to come to an understanding of the injustices borne by his deeds and the legacy of suffering that they left behind. History will teach future generations that he was a man who used his political power to promote a philosophy of exclusion.

As his daughter, who witnessed his suffering in the twilight of his years and who witnessed his deeds and heard his words, I am one who believes that the man who, on March 7, 1965, listened to the reports of brutality as they streamed into the Governor's Mansion from Selma, Alabama, was not the same man who, in March of 1995, was welcomed with open arms as he was rolled through a sea of African-American men, women and children who gathered with him to welcome another generation of marchers, retracing in honor and remembrance the historic steps from Selma to Montgomery.

Four years ago, the young Illinois senator who spoke at the Democratic National Convention mesmerized me. I hoped even then that he would one day be my president.

Today, Barack Obama is hope for a better tomorrow for all Americans. He stands on the shoulders of all those people who have incessantly prayed for a day when "justice will run down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24).

Perhaps one day, my two sons and I will have the opportunity to meet Barack Obama in person to express our gratitude to him for bringing our family full circle.

And today, the day after the election, I am going to ride to the cemetery so that if asked, I can vouch for the fact that the world is still spinning but my father lies at peace.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Peggy Wallace Kennedy. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/wallace.kennedy.obama/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Change....A new hope.

For the first time, in a long time, I am optomistic about the future. The nail biting, the feuds, the racism, the hate, the love.....America is finally coming into the 21st century.

Uncle Edward had a small viewing party last night. We watched the returns. Made phone calls.

Giddy, like school girls.

Uncle Edward compared it to JFK's election. It was then that it hit me. America is actually ready for a change. The masses have spoke. The tide has finally begun to turn.

Gone, hopefully, are the thoughts of big government and bigger business. Gone are the glass ceilings for every American-black, white, gay, straight, poor, in-between. Welcome the sweet taste of hope and freedom.

Barack Obama has become many things to many people. Both in America and around the world. This man, thanks to the many American's who have seen his light, is destined for America's change. He is destined to lead us into the next era of America's "age". The time is now.

On a lighter note, I have to agree with President Obama when he told the young African-American men of today to "pull up their pants and get on with life". Perhaps this will be the one thing to put hope in a culture that seemed so down.

Thank you, fellow American's, for electing the best man for the job.

ROCK THE VOTE!!

I have purposely avoided the race to the White House. When I say avoid, I mean voicing my opinion. I am outraged at the entire, TWO freekin' year process!

2.1 Billion is the projected amount that was spent on this election. 2.1 Billion! Does this figure not raise just a few eyebrows?
Is it me, or could this money have been used in a different direction?

This statistic, alone, brings to the forefront of my mind the impact of our economy on our everyday life. Perhaps the election money raised should be matched by the candidates for programs for REAL people!

Yes, a change is needed. A change has to occur. I don't think there is one American who isn't tired, sickened, and disgusted by the last 8 years.

I want the war in Iraq to end.
I want equal rights for everyone.
I want a job that I make more in one hour than it costs to buy three gallons of gas.
I want an America that is proud of itself, and gets back to the front of the world regime.

The choice in front of everyone today is a doozy.
Old school vs. new school.
Black vs. white.
Young vs. old.
Experience vs. Excitement.

Either way you vote, a change is a cummin'!!!

Change is never easy.
Change is always erratic.
Change is necessary.

Do your patriotic duty and vote. Make your voice be heard!