brilliant new day

This has been a heady week. I’m still feeling light as a feather and enjoying the blindingly bright mornings. It felt like January 20 would never come. Even my sixth grade daughter was excited to be watching the inauguration of President Obama at school. She voted in a mock election prior to November 4, and the school elected Obama in a landslide. This was a good sign. In the cosmic game of tag, youth is IT. All we can do is watch them outrun us, and be glad for the forward movement of the universe.

Having children in the White House again brings an important dimension to the presidency. The Obamas mentor parenting in such a visible way. Children and war just don’t go together. It happens, but children are wise beyond our reckoning. While our kids can watch this historical moment and be hopeful, they lack the ugly background that makes it so relevant. They don’t really get that part. What’s significant is what they DO get: an open and embracing eye on diversity in their lives. They can take it for granted now. And their bottomless belief in peace, in the invisible and unseen forces of fairies and superheroes, will propel this world where it needs to go.

I had hoped to watch the inauguration at the island community center, but the internet link wasn’t working properly. I didn’t want to watch a little TV in the corner of the room, so we came home to settle in for the big moment.

I had not watched an inauguration since 1992, when Clinton was sworn in. The entire spectacle was riveting. Obama was like a superhero, so calm and sure. The sea of people as far as the eye could see moved me to tears. Afterwards, it felt like that helicopter would never take off. A friend told me she taped it for her husband to watch later and they enjoyed fast-forwarding through Bush’s departure.

I had to tear myself away to interview Sharoan Dupont for the Island Times. The light in the ballet studio was turning to gold. Her dance was like an embrace of the moment, of hope.

Sharoan teaches ballet on Peaks Island with all the openness and sense of play that it deserves. Bravo, Sharoan!

I worked on an invitation for an upcoming show at the Gem Gallery, “Think Pink, Give Love.” Part of the proceeds will benefit the Cancer Community Center.

I found out an island group, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, would be displaying shawls and a collage of thankyous from recipients during the show. I interviewed the founder and guide of the group, Rebecca Stephans. She also teaches yoga and has been a model for the island life drawing group. Rebecca is an angel in our midst.

Truly, Peaks Island is like a Bermuda Triangle of Love. There is a magnetic force that holds this community together, powered by so many creative and caring people.

I talked to Annie O’Brien after she returned from her trip to the inauguration. She said, “It was so big. I’m just beginning to get it. The state people were in had more of an impact than the ceremony. The crowd was so…openhearted. No defenses up. Extraordinary connections were being made.”

Let’s hope those who experienced it can bring back that swarm of love and humanity to their communities and spread it around.

And just in time for Valentine’s Day! Which I consider a favorite holiday. What better opportunity to let all your beloveds know you care.

Think Pink, Give Love!