Grant Park, Chicago, November 4, 2008. The scene was set by perhaps the most glorious weather Chicago could imagine, mid 60's at 8:30pm; phenomenal considering it easily could have been 30 degrees colder and snowing. The lights of Chicago, always welcoming, reflected the occasion with red, white and blue on the building tops and "USA" and "Vote 2008" spelled out in the windows of high rises. The crowd was a true reflection of America. All races, young and old, gathered in good will and peace. An energy and sense of hope and anticipation hung in the air.
Together, on our iPhones and on the JumboTron, we witnessed the results unfold and tearfully celebrated as America elected Barack Obama to be our next President. It is remarkable. Unbelievable, the number of improbabilities that Barack Obama has overcome over the course of his life to get to this moment in time and this incredible victory. We all felt it, deeply. We joyously greeted the new First Family as they came to the stage for Obama's moving speech.
By the end of the night, we had made friends with the people around us, took photos, hugged and shared a lot of high-fives. We left the park in a surreal post-election setting as the midnight streets of downtown Chicago filled with people making their way home to the sound of continuing cheers and jubilant drum beats. One Nation United with Hope. We marched into a new era of American and World history.
