So, I was sitting there, drinking wine, watching the results begin to roll in, it hit me.  Exactly what was happening at that moment, exactly what I did earlier that day when I cast my ballot, came rushing at me like a tidal wave of excitement, emotion, joy, anticipation…

As each state fell blue, we witnessed this wave sweep from East to West, encompassing the country in this moment of change..change.  Forty years ago we were using separate restrooms, but today an African-American is directing this great tidal wave that has engulfed us, filling us with hope.

While I was watching the results come in, calculating the Electoral College votes, my mind focused in on my 16 month old daughter.   I became overwhelmed with gratitude because she has changed our lives so much.  The sun shines brighter, the grass grows greener, everything has changed.  Now, to go along with the great hope I have for her future, I have the additional hope that our country will get back on track.  The ideals of fairness and equality that I try to instill in her are now being acted out on the public stage.  A new generation is being born and coming of age. 

I am well aware that racism and inequality still exist, and that horrific crimes of hate do still happen.  But now, we have a leader who will be exposed to all.  Sadie will grow up seeing a black man as president.  It’s funny, because until she is much older, she won’t understand why this election was so important.  Life has shifted, normality has shifted.  To her, it will be normal to see a black man lead our country.  We have no idea of the effect this will have on our children’s world view as they grow, but it seems logical that this election will change the world for the better. 

This is the point when the wave of excitement, anticipation, etc shifts to pride.  The world has truly changed because we, the citizens, went out and made it change.  My mom made a comment the day after the election that she was relieved.  I asked “why” and she said (in jest) that she was relieved that her generation didn’t have to make policy change.  She said that the responsibility was off the baby boomers and it has been passed to the next generation.  After all, without my age group’s vote, Sarah Palin would be the vice-president.  I am so proud of the citizens of our country.  For a long time I have had a hard time being proud to be American.  Such colossal disappointment in our government and its actions is the cause of my disillusionment, but now things have changed.  But now I have no problem screaming it..” I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN”.  (cue Lee Greenwood)

The “hope” to which President Obama testified was not just a campaign slogan.  It was not just a sound bite.  I now see that it is real.