Free at last

Be warned: I got my free coffee from Starbucks after 6 tonight, then David got me a second coffee from Conoco about an hour ago, so I'm WIRED!!!!

"Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last." I can only imagine what it must feel like to be an african american tonight, but I do know what it feels like to be an American, and I have NEVER been more proud to live in this country. To see what's transpired today is amazing. One of those, "remember where you were when" moments. I was here, in my living room, sort of watching tv, but working on computer, David said, "What's all the cheering about? Why didn't you tell me." I look up and it says, "OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT." Then I watched McCain give an amazing, gracious concession speech. While he did not win, he is a great man.

And then the reality started to sink in, we are living that dream, the dream that MLK Jr. held for this country. That people would NOT be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. My kids will grow up in a world where you can be anything you want. No dream is out of reach. We are CHANGED forever. And change is GOOD!!!!

At the same time, my husband's friend is losing her battle to cancer. A disease that moved quickly and with NO mercy through her body. She's going to leave three small children and an adoring husband. And I think about how her journey has impacted my life. Every day I read her blog, and I cry. I read about how people's lives are changing because of her, and how much she is loved. I think about Joe Biden, about the loss of his wife and daughter and my heart aches for him, just as it aches for this family. And yet, in the midst of loss there is HOPE, GRACE, and LOVE.

I read a few minutes ago about how one day in politics doesn't actually make a difference and about God's will and this and that. And I think, "YOU ARE WRONG!!!!" Because this one day DOES make a difference, it does MATTER, it's about CHANGE, HISTORY, it's about how far we've come.

My son is 5. I asked him who he'd vote for. He said, "Barrack Obama." "Why?" "Because my favorite color is brown, and he's brown." How far we've come!!! Not so long ago, we were seeped in racism, and there's no way you would have heard a statement like that. Now, I know, that's not a great reason to vote for someone, but he's 5. . .

What really convicts me to write, to get my thoughts out is that our new president was NOT judged by the color of his skin but because of the content of his character. His speech brought me to tears. He gets it. He's in touch with the American people, and he understands our needs. He has integrity, charisma, and grace. He wants to bring us together - for the people, by the people. He knows the road is long and hard, and he embraces that.

What a monumental time in the history of this great land!!! If you think this is just about politics and party lines, I think you are missing the true signifigance of what's happening. The people have spoken - in RECORD numbers. We are ready for change, and no matter what happens, we're getting it. WOW!!!!!