Beyond Amazing...

I woke up this morning to get ready to go to work. I didn't know the result of the election because I fell asleep. I took a shower and got dressed, sat down on my bed and turned on my T.V. I held my breath as I turned to MSNBC to get the results of last night's election. They are showing Barack's acceptance speech in Chicago. I catch my breath. I can't believe it. He actually WON! And by a landslide so there's no questioning his victory. I turn up the volume and listen to his acceptance speech. As I look at the faces in the crowd and listen to his words, I start to cry. This moment is beyond political lines. It is so much more. It's about where this country started and how far it has come. I think about my grandparents who aren't here to see this momentous day. I think about my son and the possibilities that have opened up to him. I think about how I now hope that blacks are not looked upon as second-class citizens any longer; that we are seen as people with hopes and dreams for themselves and their families. We are Americans and we want to be a part of that American Dream.

I am still trying to catch my breath. It's the day after Election Day and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what has happened. I never thought that I would see, in my lifetime, a black man elected as President of the United States. We have come so far but we have so much further to go. I am so happy that I can tell Darrius that, Yes, you can be anything you want to be. There are no limitations for you. Barack Obama finally broke through that ceiling that has been holding us back for so long. I am full of joy and happiness and mostly I am full of Hope. I am hopeful that inner city kids will look at this man, a man who was raised by a single mother and his grandparents, a man that did not come from a priviledged background, who overcame every obstacle to get to where he is today and see that YES THEY CAN. They can rise above their surroundings, they can strive to want more and do more with their lives. I hope they look at him and see that they too can travel that same path.

It has been an emotional ride. I look forward to seeing where we go from here.