Can we open our eyes for you?

"It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes we can. It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom. Yes we can. It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness. Yes we can. It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land. Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this world.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can sand the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change. We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics they will only grow louder and more dissonant. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

The hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggest; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea - Yes. We. Can." -Barack Obama



My President was there for me today. This morning I listened to this speech of his on repeat, in eager anticipation for the soothing words I was so passionate to receive later in the day. These are words that I often refer to, "...whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world." After today I now have words that not only give me hope, but will continue to both inspire and challenge me.

I knew that I would be seeing my President in person today. It didn't feel that way at certain points in the day, but throughout the day the soul of the universe sewed seeds of supervision.

Super fun made up games. Snackers. Starbucks. Sweat. Suspense. Stuffed like sardines. Security. Success.

While the last people were filing in, the camera focused in on various people and the crowd would applaud. They showed the surgeon, applause. The intern, applause. The woman who knocked the magazine away from the gunman, applause. One of the men who tackled the gunman, applause. As the camera focused in on my grandfather, I held my breath, instantly terrified for what might happen next, then... everyone cheered, he waved, it was beautiful. As this happened my cousin was overcome with emotion, I myself choking back big fat salty tears. In the numerous hours we spent waiting outside, she shared with me that over the years Grandpa had become the man in her life who would one day be the one to walk her down the aisle. On the car ride home I asked her what her favorite moment of the day was, she sweetly said it was when they showed Grandpa on the television, I couldn't have agreed more. It was a reassuring moment for me, I knew it would be for our family too.

An announcement was made: Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated, we will begin in approximately five minutes. "Thank you five," I thought. You could sense the room beginning to swell with joy, with love, with the hope that our President so evidently wants us to experience for ourselves. Barack and Michelle Obama entered. The crowd irrupted. Their effortless presence orchestrated a symphony in where all of the players were harmoniously in-tune with one another, as if everyone were desperately responding to say.. "Dad, mom... we needed you."

I was so happy that Daniel Hernandez was seated at the right hand of the President. The camera captured moments of one-sided whispers, I was curious to know what our President was saying to our hero : ) When Daniel got a chance to speak one of the things he talked about was his own idea of heroism. He expressed his gratitude for the heroism of those who devote their lives to public service, like Gabby and Judge Roll. While honoring the heroes of Saturday morning, he took my thoughts to the heroes of our own community, those who go noticed and unnoticed. I instantly thought of my father who once told me, and always showed me, the importance of giving back to the community that raised you.

As our Governor Jan Brewer took the stage, along with scattered groups of people, before I even had a chance to weigh my options, I was surprised to find myself rising up to meet her, while saying aloud "...she has a family." If there's anything I have learned within the past few days, it is the active awareness that is so necessary in any and every interaction we take part in, it is the sincere consideration we have for another human life, it is the respect for oneself and the respect for others that is so simple to remember and too simple to forget. She spoke wonderfully.

More spoke. Our girl Janet delivered a reading, the very same verse that was holding me up on Sunday night, it specifically gives comfort for God's people... "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

Much of the time when something extremely traumatic or in this case extremely important is happening to me, I will forget what happened... which is partially the reason for this, another reason being my Dad wanted me to email him my memory of today. So when the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama approached the podium... I made an extreme effort to bottle that moment. I gave myself a wonderful gift when I allowed myself to fully live in that moment, to I let myself revel in the, "... words I was so passionate to receive."

He began his speech with saying that he came here tonight as an American, who like all Americans would kneel with us today and stand by us tomorrow. I most clearly remember him speaking of how we can be better, we can do better; and specifically remember him saying... "But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized - at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do - it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds." I remember how he spoke of Christina. All that needs to be said about this beautiful angel is best described the way my friend Ellie explained... "There is no rain in Heaven, only the puddles."

With the permission of Mark, he gave us and update on Gabby. Before I say more... Looking at Mark, his eyes told the story of what has happened and the story of the road which lies ahead. Mr. Obama said that minutes after he left her, Gabby opened her eyes for the first time. "It's a miracle," is all I could get out. It is a miracle.

There were many parts to this memorial, all were beautiful. In my opinion, the reason it turned out to be so lovely was because after all that has happened in the past few days... after several days of controversy and unrest... we spent today rooting for each other, not waiting for our neighbor to mess up. Much has happened between Saturday, January 8th, and now. My world will never be the same, thank God. In moving forward I ask myself, how can I love more, how can we carry this into the future, how can we make our democracy the way that Christina imagined it to be?



Politics aside, honest... today was the most convincing moment of hope in my life.



Together we thrive, Tucson & America.