West Side Stories
A Tosa resident for almost 20 years, Karen is a mom and freelance writer, addicted to playing tennis. When not on the tennis court, she spends the fall and winter in the stands at Green Bay Packer and Marquette basketball games.
Karen is the author of “Grab a Bite,” a dining out column and the former community columnist for the Wauwatosa NOW newspaper.
High Hopes
As the nation awaits the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, there is great anticipation and excitement. Like many, I am very curious to see how the Obama administration will lead our nation through these turbulent times.
President-Elect Obama famously wrote of the “Audacity of Hope.” Although I try never to write about politics, I thought I'd share my own personal list of “hopes” for our new president and his team:
I hope that soon, the nation will become completely color-blind and we will embrace the historic achievement of the election of an African-American president and the possibility it represents and then quickly move on. I firmly believe the focus should be elsewhere.
I hope that hate and disagreement can take a back seat to understanding and discussion.
I hope to never see any more sour grape bumper stickers that read: “Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for him,” or “He’s not MY president.”
I hope that reaching across the aisle can become more commonplace than jumping to conclusions.
I hope Obama quits smoking completely. If not for his health and his family, but for the example it sets for the entire nation.
I hope that Malia and Sasha have at least a slim chance at a safe and normal childhood. Every child deserves that, no matter what their father does for a living.
I hope that if tennis becomes the hot new sport (the Obama girls take lessons), that there will still be room for me on the courts.
I hope that “change we can believe in” includes shedding labels and name-calling. Once we all identify as Americans, we are a much stronger force than a nation divided.
I hope everyone believes that sometimes change just for change’s sake is not always the best idea.
I hope that finger-pointing will give way to hand-shaking and patient listening to opposing points of view.
I hope that, whichever way we lean (full disclosure – I tilt toward the right), we embrace the sentiments of this prayer that I learned back in 8th grade on the basketball team:
The Prayer of a Sportsman
(author unknown)
Dear Lord, in the battle that goes on through life
I ask for a field that is fair
A chance that is equal to all in the strife
The courage to strive and to dare.
If I should win, let it be by the code
With my faith and my honor held high.
But if I should lose, let me stand by the road
And cheer as the winners go by.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.