Obama's Prize

Like everyone else in this country I was stunned by the news that our new president had received the Nobel Peace prize. I understand the almost knee-jerk response of "too soon, too soon," even from his supporters. Even from Obama, who seems abashed, amazed and certainly humbled, as well as somewhat dismayed.

We discussed it with friends over breakfast Saturday morning. All agreed that it was going to be entertaining to watch the apoplexy of the far right, but wondered if it would hurt Obama, and if it was, indeed, "too soon." Except, that is, for my friend, Judy, who simply said, "I think it's wonderful." Once those words left her lips something shifted inside me, and I knocked heads with the all-too-often submerged side of me that is capable of acknowledging something, anything, as simply "wonderful."

Now it's official. I'm in the "wonderful" camp. I always was, but didn't know it. Being me, I have to think over exactly why it's wonderful, and here goes: The United States of America means something to the world. Oh, other countries jab at us and patronize us, and there's a small, deadly bunch that wants to destroy us. But, aside from that last group, America has always been a light in the world. Not perfect by a long shot, but magnificent in our courage and hopefulness, our fairmindedness, our grand experiment, our welcoming of the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. And over the last eight years, if I can just beat this drum once more, the light was all but extinguished, at least in the eyes of the larger world. Barack Obama, for all his newness, has reaffirmed our country's promise as a champion of peace. He has meaningfully reached out a healing hand to anyone who will join him.

My husband and I worked hard to get Obama elected because we saw the need for a transcendant figure to lead us out of the darkness created by the Bush/Cheney regime. Here on the home soil some have nodded to this, but we have all quickly moved on to health care, jobs, gay rights, war, none of which is proceeding smoothly or to anyone's satisfaction. Never mind that each one of those issues pits Obama against what C. S. Lewis called "that hideous strength," the powerful bastions that exist only for the bottom line and never for progress and justice.

But the rest of the world has not moved on. They have paused to be grateful that there is a person at the helm of America's ship who has a heart for peace. Yes, even while he wages two wars and stands firm against those who would harm us. By his words and his actions he has begun restoring America to the world, and us to ourselves. This is not a small thing.

Both political friends and foes now say he must "earn" the prize bestowed upon him. Both Judy and I say he already has. And it's wonderful.