We're Finding Hope In Life

I have never been prouder to be a citizen of the United States.
I can't remember the last time I said I was proud to be of this country.
But tonight I am proud. I am able to stand up and say yes, this is my home, and I am proud of its leaders and proud of its citizens.
I spent the evening with friends both present and not. While chatting with those near I was facebooking, messaging and texting those far away. We were united in a common cause: seeing this historical event unfold, and cheering as the states turned blue. Pennsylvania. OHio. VIRGINIA. And then, at 8:01pm on the west coast, it happened: Barack Obama was declared the next president of the United States.

I was astounded. How had it happened so quickly? I truly felt shocked. could it really be that something I had hoped for so long had really come true? But do not worry, that passed quickly to elation.

President-Elect Obama took the stage at midnight east coast time, and tears came to my eyes. We finally have a leader whom I can call a president. He is gracious, he is humble, he is eloquent and charismatic and deferential and above all intelligent. I am overjoyed that he won. His campaign brought new life to the civic process in the United States, and I hope that his presidency will fulfill at least some of our hopes.