I have loved watching the upbeat, feel good vibe at the convention this week. Yesterday, after coming home from a tired day of work, I plopped myself down on the couch to enjoy the last day of the democratic convention on C-SPAN (Thank you C-Span for great coverage!)
I was totally enjoying all of the rockin music, the great speeches and best of all, seeing all of my fellow democrats enjoying themselves sooooo much. The diversity of that crowd was wonderful and they looked so happy. I couldn't help but feel good too.
Yes, I was hootin and hollerin, singing and dancing right along with them.
It was a great build up to the main event - Barack Obama's acceptance speech.
Then he walked onto the stage.
Wow.
What a thrill to see thousands of people cheering. Then he gave what I thought was a fantastic speech. For me, it hit all the right notes and had a great tone and presentation. There were parts when I was shouting "Get em!"
I loved when he hit McCain and the Republicans hard, then talked about what he and WE were going to do for this country in the future.
I loved the acknowledgment of Dr. King and the civil rights participants.
I wished my dad could've been here to enjoy it. I kept thinking to myself "We've done it, daddy."
When his speech was over and Michelle and the girls came on stage, and then the confetti and fireworks started, it hit me . . .
All of the hard work and sacrifices of my people (I'm African American) and people from all walks of life, who fought so hard for all of us to reach this MOMENT - is now bearing fruit.
They dreamed and we benefit.
I started crying then, and I kept crying because I truly felt a deep gratitude and appreciation for the struggles of those who came before me. Those people believed in a better America, even if they wouldn't be around to actually see it.
It moved me to tears.
Wow.
I'm so grateful to be witnessing this moment and have the opportunity to experience these times. After the darkness comes the light.
Watching Barack Obama standing on that stage last night, I knew.
He's going to be the next President of the United States . . .
and it's a beautiful thing.