By Roslyn Ryan
Editor

There was at least something for both sides last week, as the election season that had seemed to go on forever finally came to an end.

If you were pulling for Obama, it was certainly a day you will never forget. And for those who had forgotten what dignity in the face of defeat looked like, John McCain gave an example for the ages.

In a moment that had to be extraordinarily difficult, when the entire world was watching, the man who had been labeled something of a hothead showed more grace than perhaps many of us have seen. 

Personally — and I had started to feel like I was in the minority on this by the end of the campaign — I found pretty compelling reasons to like both candidates.

Maybe the Republican lost the presidential election and the Democratic candidate lost the race for the fourth congressional district. Alright. But I can’t help but feel that we, as the American people, have won.

We won because we have finally proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is the land of opportunity.

This country is not perfect, we know, but it’s striving.

Time will tell if Obama is up to the challenge of leading this country. But just for this day, this week, this month, I’d like to enjoy the fact that he will have the opportunity to try.

* * *

I had the pleasure last week of visiting Powhatan’s newest school, Flat Rock Elementary. For those who have not been by to see it, the facility is truly one the county can be proud of.

Just as heartening to see were the happy students filing through the halls and into the classrooms, which the teachers have already managed to make feel warm and inviting.

For anyone who has ever moved from one house to another, there is no need to describe how quickly things can descend into chaos. And that’s before you add in children.

Yet the faculty and staff of Flat Rock Elementary have managed to move hundreds of people and tons of equipment in the span of two weeks—while continuing to teach—and make it look as if they’d been there for years.

I have never been one, but I have a sneaking suspicion teachers usually don’t get thanked enough for what they do. So I’d like to offer a heartfelt thanks to all the teachers at Flat Rock Elementary for their commitment to the children of this county.

The building is beautiful, but you all are what make it shine.