Can you believe it? That it’s really really real? I actually got goosebumps just typing that title.
On Tuesday, after volunteering at the polls for No on Prop 8 (which I CANNOT believe passed – that’s for another blog), I came home and got ready to have friends over. I admit that I was rather nervous about the whole thing, particularly as we watched the early results came in…but then came Pennsylvania. I started feeling that an Obama win was really possible. After that, I got a little distracted by entertaining our guests, all in really high spirits and talking over the TV. But suddenly things got quiet, and everyone was trying to read the tiny numbers on the screen. “Is that 284 electoral votes for Obama?” someone said, followed by someone saying, “No, I think it’s 254…” And we were all squinting and wondering if it could be true. Suddenly it flashed onto the screen, at first so quickly that we all thought we were dreaming, “Obama elected President.” After a moment of disbelief, everyone started cheering. I started crying, not exactly bawling, but not just teary eyes, either. I just kept thinking about everyone I had seen work SO hard, and so tirelessly, and, as my mom said of the people in the Florida office where she volunteered, “always with smiles on their faces.” So much positive energy seemed unstoppable, and, as it turns out, it was.
I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house during Obama’s speech, honestly. He has the power to be realistic and sober but incredibly inspiring at the same time. We were all just basking in the moment, and my basking continues despite the fact that I know there will be tough times ahead. Still, I think Obama’s campaign was run by best and brightest of this country. If his White House staff is of the same quality, I think we’ll have the best team to handle whatever may come.
On a personal note, I have a beautiful new niece! She was born on Election Day, just before Obama was announced President. Her name, coincidentally but so appropriately, is Victoria.