President Obama

"Dad, is President Obama in the newspaper?" One of the twins was trying to find a reason to get out of bed this morning, and this was it. He is an avid newspaper reader, and today, the 11-year-old deeply understood the news.

Last night, all three of my children, ages 14 to 11, watched history. My oldest asked, "Dad, did you ever think you'd see a black man elected president?" That took some thought. I told him I had never witnessed a black candidate in my adulthood who I thought would qualify....until I tuned into President-elect Obama's run about a year ago. He was talking on the radio, and I realized he understood, and that America might, as well.

The most important lesson of last night's election is that my children grasp the ongoing American theme, which is, you can follow your dreams and they will come true. It is an ethic that, frankly, is found virtually nowhere else in the world. Last night's election was perhaps the best-ever example of that theme in a country still saddled with 250 years of slavery and its shameful aftermath.

Another lesson came from John McCain, whose concession speech is a reminder of the importance of conceding with class. He proved that losers can still win – a reminder to sports teams caught in the final moment that sometimes show grace, and sometimes do not. McCain quieted the boos of a restless, perhaps bitter crowd. This was the beginning of a national unity push. He understood. Now, do we?

What lessons did your children learn from this election? Comment here.