Barack Obama

Today as I retrieved my car keys from the parking attendants, one asked if I was of Middle East descent. I smiled, lifted my sunglasses and asked if I indeed still looked Middle Eastern and both men nodded yes. Aside from the "you're so beautiful" comments today, tally being 3 so far, amused I chuckled for being mistaken for someone else. For the shy girl from a small town to a woman told she was beautiful not once but three times in one day, it felt good. As I enjoyed the banter amongst the parking attendants, I revealed to them that I was, in fact, not Middle Eastern but Native American. The guy handing me the keys said it was a great day to be an American. The other said “God Bless America” and remarked, "It's a good day for America, now people around the world are a little less apprehensive towards America.” He gently touched my arm saying “they’re reputation is not good in many places, you know.” Both men, I learned were European: one Kurdish from Georgia/Russia and the other Middle Eastern. As I walked to my car, the Turkish attendant continued to comment on how great Obama won the election and how his presidency would change the world. Like me, Barack Obama represents hope and change for people around the world not only in the United States, in particular minorities. His win last night touched the hearts in the global community and sent a message of optimism in our trying times. I drove away smiling and waving to the gentlemen feeling the same sentiment. God Bless us all.