Brand New Day

As was repeated time and time again, last night was an historic night. And as I watched through tears the celebration in Grant Park, from coast to coast, and in Europe, I felt that ever present stirring within, that feeling of hope. Hope.

I did not cast my ballot based entirely on hope, as I read each candidates plans, pondered their views. And I admit that at first I was not sure what that unfamiliar feeling was within my heart and soul, what was this thing that gave me pause, that made me think, that made me believe. That made me recall ever more vividly the obstacles my parents faced growing up in this nation, the barriers placed before the women in my life, that ever-present whisper that says "not you."

Hope.

Now my hope is that we step forward as a nation. That we support President-elect Obama in making the changes long overdue in this country, not stand on the sidelines but actually take part much like many did in this election. We have been brushed aside for too long. As the song says, this is our country.

Yes we can.