I haven't posted since before the election on November 4th. It was an incredible day working with the voter protection team to make sure that every vote in MA was cast and counted fairly. When the polls closed, I joined friends on the New England Steering Committee at "Game On" where we watched the election returns. I was nervous and anxious as the states were called knowing that nothing is a done deal with the Dems. Yet I knew this was no ordinary Democrat, no ordinary campaign and no ordinary election. Just before 11pm, Barack Obama had enough votes that the West coast could put him over the top. We were watching CNN on the flat screens all over the room with a diverse group of supporters- all ages, races, nationalities and income levels. A spontaneous - New Year's Eve- countdown began and when we got to "ONE"... it was 11pm and CNN called CA's EV's for Obama making his the 44th President of the United States. THE PLACE WENT NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My children - watching from home - called me and we celebrated over the phone. History, hope, change ...they knew this was important.
At our Election Night Party supporters were jumping up and down, screaming, crying, hugging each other, high-fiving and celebrating like the world had just been given a do-over of the last 8 years. I burst into tears and sobbed. I was so relieved and joyous and yes, angry and sad about how deep the hole is that we have dug for ourselves, our children and our planet. But mostly HAPPY! And thrilled that America has woken-up from its long slumber and apathy. I knew it was happening....I could feel it in the air....could see it on the streets....and at the polling places earlier that day where people waited for hours to vote and, in some cases, fought for their votes....CHANGE WAS HERE!!! Barack Hussein Obama has brought change to this country ...and just in time.
During Obama's speech the boisterous party of revelers fell silent as we watched our new First Family take the stage.... the hopes of a troubled nation and indeed the world on their young shoulders. Obama' s words inspired the hundreds of thousands that assembled in the balmy autumn night. Mother Nature would not rain on this parade. Tears ran down cheeks in the audience as Obama spoke and flags waved proudly in the breeze. I felt a pride in our country unlike I have ever felt before. This is what patriotism really is.
As I drove home in the wee hours, people were in the streets of Boston celebrating the Obama victory; at stop lights people bounced up and down in the seats of their cars, horns blowing, waving and cheering to strangers who were now bound by the common hope of Obama. It was truly magical and a night I will never forget.
When I came home- exhausted from a day that started almost 24 hours earlier, I put on the news and read the blogs. Seeing the pictures from the celebrations in Harlem, DC and around the world brought more tears. The hopes of the world were pinned to this election and we all held our breath until the votes were counted. To feel so connected to so many people in common purpose and dream was just an amazing feeling. I could not stop looking at the pictures and watching the video.
Enjoy this video. President- Elect Barack Obama - our 44th President of the United States of America!
God bless him and keep him safe.
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