yes we can

As the sun rose and the wind started to blow from the North I waited, spending a great deal of time alone. Different than most alone days as I thought of the political science classes and personal readings, other candidates' campaigns I had worked on over the years as the clocks continued to move I knew it was not just a moment in time...

It was an epic of historical proportions. And although my confidence level was high and my energy level higher, I, like the rest of the world, knew not what or why to expect, only to revel in that which was and would be before us.

A changing of the guard witnessed, a passing of the torch and a breakthrough that led so many that had fought through movement after movement, to tears.

Orators with a sense of passion have always intrigued me, whether they be long deceased or speaking as President Obama so eloquently did, speaking in a way in which I felt they were speaking not only to the masses but to me specifically, making an event so much more personal.

And as he spoke and show his humility, his gratitude, his maturation through a grueling two year campaign and speak the words 'yes we can', allowing the crowds from around the world to follow his lead, getting louder and louder, more and more confident I could no longer sit, but had to mumble with them from the room from where I sat alone, knowing the phrase, so simple, was so deep to those like myself who wanted it to be.

As I watched the villagers in Africa dance with clothing placed upon them from the many missionaries that had greeted them through the years and watched the thousands upon thousands stream into Grant Park in Chicago and those in the streets of time square, Harlem, and places about and around the world watch diligently until the election was called and the announcement of our new first family made, I too felt joy.

I felt the humbleness of a man that had accomplished a dream, our dream too, that had changed not only our nation, but our world and as I sat back and watched, listened and watched some more I could only think of the gratefulness I felt to witness such a monumental event.

The people spoke and spoke in masses.

Every race, creed, religion, color, and background cheering as we, knowing how destitute so many Americans are, were Americans again and nothing would stand in our way and as I was told as we all were told, that it would take work,
hard work,
and the work of not only a few but the masses, I prepared myself to assist and to answer the call of my president, knowing that the hope I live my life upon came shining through and although many will or have forgotten it by now, it remains a part, a large part of who I and many others are and will be as they battle through personal struggles...
small and large,
allowing me to say thanks one more time for something I personally never thought I would see in my lifetime, especially knowing my plight, but I buried the here and now and concentrated on the future no matter how long or short it may be and tried, but failing,
to wipe away a smile that was embedded upon my face today,
all day,
as I went forward,
feeling physically awful but emotionally and spiritually empowered one more time if only for awhile. A short while or a long while but awhile, witnessing an event that will appear in history books for those who wish to read and ask questions and for people to remember where they were and how they felt upon a day when so much that had and has gone so wrong in the world, our world, was erased from our memories, my memory for longer than a moment but the rest of my remaining days...