PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA. Are those not the most beautiful words you have ever heard? They continue to make me smile uncontrollably and push on. I can't believe it happened. And I was in the middle of it all.
To sum up the best night of my life:
The Obama phenomenon in Chicago was huge. Jamie and I went out in the morning and simply walked around. People were everywhere, sporting their Obama gear. Every street corner had a merch seller. Jamie bought 3 buttons. The whole city was alive and connected. Then it was time for the Rally. My friend Andy got a ticket and with each ticket comes a guest ticket. He took me as his guest. After pushing our way through people, standing in crowds for what seemed like forever, and going through security, Andy and I and his 3 friends bolted as fast as we could to the stage along with millions. We ended up getting about 150 feet from the stage. As luck has it every person grew 5 inches before the rally except for me. But, it didn't even matter. I talked to my neighbors, laughed with them, cheered with them, boo'd with them and acted as if I knew them for years. We all were together in this, no matter what. Then it happened. We heard that same projection ring on the big screen of CNN, all looked to see what state he won and saw in big bold beautiful letters PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA. I saw the screen for half a second before the whole crowd was floating in the air. Bodies were off the ground and hearts were lifted. My voice rang as loud as it could and I lost track of thought. We actually did it. YES WE DID!
When Obama came on the stage to speak, I only got a quick glance at him due to my new midget status, but his words filled my body like I had lived my whole life without water. Never before in my life have I felt so proud to be alive, nay, to be an American. I sang the National Anthem with the upmost pride. I am an American. FINALLY!
After the speech was done, there was no possible way we could get out of the park quickly, so we didn't. We hung around and went closer to the stage in opposition of everyone else. With my camera in hand I snapped and snapped and snapped. A huge American flag was present and people were lining up to hold it and take photographs with it. We all were proud and we wanted to flaunt it. I danced. I jumped profusely. I couldn't stop my body from being in motion. Change was all around me. Beauty was all around me. Finally when we got out of the park the streets were closed down and people were hugging strangers, exchanging smiles and high fives and homeless men were crying for joy. The whole city was one. There were no boundaries, no race, no sex, no divisions. I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.
I was, for a moment in time, in the best place on the whole earth. I was in the middle of history. I will never forget that night. Whenever I doubt or lose hope, I remember that magnificent day. Things will work out eventually.
Let the changes begin.
