I remember the first time that I heard Barack Obama speak. Like many others watching the 2004 Democratic Convention subsequently commented, I remember feeling a sense of hope, the hope that we could once again be inspired by a courageous leader.
As Bush's divisive 2nd term continued to divide an already divided country, and as America became better known for torturing than for protecting people from such indignities, I remember commenting that we needed to get our country back and thinking that Obama had the potential to be the person to lead us out of that dark place, to restore our greatness.
I remember standing in line at the XL Center in Hartford on Super Tuesday, squeezing into a spot along the railing to hear Obama speak, and daring to hope that it would happen, that he would survive the exhausting gauntlet that our politics has become and become our next President.
And here we are.
This morning, I went to a polling station with my sons, waited in line and talked to them about how unique our democracy truly is. My younger son, having been admonished by his mom and dad not to make a ruckus in the line, asked me, "Dad, if I whisper, can I cheer for Obama while we stand in line?" And he did.
"Obama, Obama, Obama," barely audible.
Affter about a half hour in line, we filled in the appropriate circles. Together, we slid my ballot into the scanner.
And as all the votes are finally counted, I allow myself to believe what I had only hoped for. I am thankful for the graciousness of Senator McCain in defeat. I am so hopeful about the opportunity that lies before us with Obama as our President, even as I am aware of the breadth of challenges that he faces, that we all face.
But, finally this day is here.
Yes. We. Can!
