A Moment Which Will Last a Lifetime

How many I'll-never-forget-where-I-was-when's are happy memories? Think about it. From 9-11 on back to Pearl Harbor, since we've had instant mass communication, none of those moments are happy.

Last night was happy, and we'll never forget it.

We had some friends and family over last night. From 11 p.m., when I heard Olbermann announce that Obama had won, until the middle of the afternoon today, I have been speechless. Me! I get paid for words.

Obama had it exactly right. The night belonged to us. People of good will never gave up trying to make a better world and, in the words of Allen Toussaint's Yes We Can!:

Make this land a better land

Than the world in which we live

And help each man be a better man

With the kindness that you give.

I'm white. I know what this election means to me, but I was listening to national African-American talk radio this morning and one-after-another, callers were agreeing to a remarkable concept...maybe white folks weren't so bad after all.

Funny concept to some. Serious as death to others. Serious as lynching.

We're all looking at each other, and I mean everybody, in a new way today. Here in the People's Republic of Portland Oregon, there's a quiet sense of relief, although last night, on my block there were a lot fireworks exploded and much banging on pots. I know that these feelings are shared by people of good will all over the world.

How long will that last? Stay tuned.

But it's still fresh. And if feels good. And I'm beginning to be able to talk.

I can say this........WE WON!

Read more reaction from HuffPost bloggers to Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election

Comments

[fpie]

Maybe we can get that unity that 9/11 brought without the pain and without Bush and Cheney to srew it up. Hold that thought.

[Hazelnut]

I work overnight, and when I left for work Tuesday night things were looking good for Obama, but it was far from over. I did not find out the results til we took our break at 2 a.m. I too, was speechless!
Later, in the morning, I had to stop off at the grocery on my way home and as I was leaving, they were getting their morning paper delivery. I could see the front page with President-elect Obama's face and the words "Yes, He Did!" in big letters. I could have shouted out loud right in the grocery store. That's my story, I will never forget how good this feels!

[edgraham]

Yes We Can - - Yes we did. Being an old white man, I am finally able to exhale. This election validates the 60s. Makes all of the great protest songs valid.

I can sing again.

Love America again.

As the great Sam Cooke sang, "A Change Is Gonna Come."

I can't remember ever having this much hope.

Ed Graham (Happy that Barack can use his middle name again)