I Envy You, America!
By Kim Heung-sook
Congratulations and thanks, Tom and Judy. Congratulations on voting for change despite the fear pumping by the Republicans, Jan and Brenda. Thanks for restoring hope within your borders and beyond, Bob and Liz. I envy you all.
We had a chance, too, just last winter, but we lost to the fear you have overcome. We voted for a change to the worse and we have fallen victim to our own folly and greedy expectations. We envy you even as you make us feel smaller.
For the first time in several decades, the victory of American people has become the victory of the entire world. From America to Africa, from Europe to Asia, people rejoice at the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Why? Because they believe America will change under his leadership. Because, if America changes, the whole world will change.
I can't thank you enough, Obama, for you have brightened up the darkest corners of the world with rays of hope. You are telling us not to despair. As you said, ``The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep,'' but we are not going to give up the belief that hope and justice will prevail over fear and greed. You are the proof.
Congratulations, Michelle Obama, on becoming the next first lady. The days are gone when presidents' spouses adorn their necks with pearls and play the good wife. Even before the financial crisis, there was plenty of work to do for the first lady of the ``First Nation.'' I'm glad to hear that you have keen interest in supporting military families, helping workingwomen, and encouraging national service.
In addition, I hope, you will see beyond the frontiers. I hope you will remember the men, women and children of Kenya, Indonesia and all other countries that cried out happiness upon Barack's election Tuesday. You somehow owe your victory to all these people who suffer most during these difficult times and you can't turn away from them just because they are not Americans.
I heard your leadership, as the vice president of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, had increased volunteers in the hospital and the community by four to five times. I hope the whole world will benefit from such leadership; America voted for you when they voted for your husband.
Congratulations, Madelyn Dunham, on the election of your beloved grandson ``Barry.'' A man needs at least two women to bloom and no doubt you have made the two with Michelle for Obama.
Being a grandparent is an easy job when the child lives with his/her mother and father. All a grandmother needs to do is love her grandchild: The parents will do everything from feeding to scolding and discipline and becoming the role model.
When the child has to live with you without its parents, however, you have a tough job of taking care of the child physically and mentally. You have to play two roles at least ― as a mother and as a grandmother. Loving alone is not enough. And you, Toot, have done such a wonderful job. Owing much to your devotion and love, Obama has grown to be a levelheaded man who transcends the color of his skin or anyone else's.
I believe you were there in Chicago the other night when Obama was talking about you: ``And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure."
People say you have given Obama your pragmatism, no-nonsense attitude and pioneer spirit that made you rise from a secretary to the first female vice president of the Bank of Hawaii. You have also instilled your fighting spirit into him, which you again demonstrated when you voted for Obama on Oct. 27 in the middle of your life-or-death bout with cancer.
I hope we have grandmothers like you here in Korea where a rapidly increasing number of children are forced to live with their grandparents due to the death, divorce or separation or busyness of their parents. As the key character in the greatest story of our time, you have already inspired grandmothers around the globe with courage and wisdom. I don't want to be a president but I'd like to be a grandmother like you. Keep on watching Barry, Toot!