Happy New Year!

In contemplating this new year, this 2009, on what I feel is sure to be the cusp of changes for our country, our world, my attention is drawn to a song (from 1992) that embodies all that I hold in my heart and hope for in the coming year, that we can finally get on the path to making this dream a reality where we all can truly be free. Quoted from the lyrics of "We Shall Be Free" by Garth Brooks:

When the last child cries for a crust of bread

When the last man dies for just words that he said

When there's shelter over the poorest head

We shall be free

When the last thing we notice is the color of skin

And the first thing we look for is the beauty within

When the skies and the oceans are clean again

Then we shall be free

When we're free to love anyone we choose

When this world's big enough for all different views

When we all can worship from our own kind of pew

Then we shall be free

And when money talks for the very last time

And nobody walks a step behind

When there's only one race and that's mankind

Then we shall be free

Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out

We shall be free