I debated whether to use this picture and whether to mention this very special day, but then I thought, it’s my life, my moment of jubilation, so why not?  It’s the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.  What a powerful speech that is.  I never get tired of hearing it or reading it.  It’s a message of hope beyond all hope.  And I wonder if even Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed when he said that he hoped for a day when his children would be judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their characters, that a black man would have an opportunity to be the President of the United States of America.  I don’t think I ever really dreamed that would happen, just as I never dreamed that a woman might be President.  But after Hillary Clinton’s fantastic campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination, I think I definitely will see a woman President in my lifetime, and maybe not too far in the future.  It seems this year, a lot of things that once seemed impossible are really possible.  I can’t wait to hear Barack Obama give his speech tonight, a speech that is being dubbed “The Dream Speech II.”  I’m so proud of him.  I’m so proud of his wife, Michelle.  She is the epitome of the woman that I hope to be.  I’m so proud that I had the opportunity to support him and vote for Obama  in the primary and that I will have the opportunity to support him and vote for him during his run for the Presidency.  This is monumental!  I just look at all the people there in the football stadium waiting to hear him speak.  Waiting to hear his hopes and dreams for our nation.  And we surely do need some hopes and some dreams. I first heard this remarkable man speak back in 2004 when he spoke at the last Democratic Convention.  I said to my husband, “Why can’t we be voting for him?”  And here we are, 4 years later, and we are getting the chance to vote for him.  Everything is possible if you want it badly enough and work hard enough for it. 

So, that brings me to reflect on my life, my new beginning, my hopes and dreams for myself.  I want to be re-created.  I want a healthier, leaner body that doesn’t feel tired and sluggish and much older than it is.  I heard Oprah Winfrey say that this is her year.  She was born in 1954 (so was I) and this year she turned 54 (so did I), so she claimed this year as “her” year.  And so have I!  I must admit that I have wanted to be thinner my whole life, but all I ever did was get fatter.  Until last year, when I lost 60 pounds!  And I seem to be floundering just a little bit now and not losing more, but not gaining it all back either!  I really don’t think I’ve ever really thought that I would be significantly thinner.  Until now.  I have been dreaming lately that I am thinner.  I always look so tall!  And I’m wearing clothes that flatter me.  And best of all, I’m able to move so freely.  I’ve even dreamed that I am running!  And I can remember before I lost the 60 pounds last year how I could barely wal because of the pain in my knees and ankles!  And in my dreams, I am running like a child!  Rita told me that since I’m dreaming it frequently, I must have decided that I can really do it.  And how would I ever really be able to do it if I didn’t believe I could?

Barack Obama’s supporters have loved to chant “Yes, we can!”  Because Obama has challenged us to not accept things as they always have been or as they are, but to change them the way we want them to be.  Yes, we can.  Yes, we can.  We absolutely can do anything that we can conceive if we believe we can and if we work hard enough.  Never forget the hard work part! 

But first, the dream.

P.S.  After Obama’s historic speech last night, a news commentator, who was choked up by his emotions said, “I can’t help it.  My critics will say I’m too emotional, but this man inspires me!”  We can all benefit from inspiration, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I, too, am inspired by this man.