Wow... we can and we actually did.

I must say, I am a little shocked speechless this morning. In the best possible way, though. For all my griping about America, we actually pulled it off.

Yes, we can and we did.

I was on the edge of my couch last night, sitting in my fluffy bathrobe, waiting for the results. And when I say waiting, what I really mean is I was flipping back and forth through all the networks for three hours straight knowing that it would take forever for any results to come through, but also being quite aware of the fact that we don't have cable and therefore the networks were my only option (no switching back with the discovery channel or animal planet for me!). And then Ohio came in. Democratic. The statement was made that no Republican had ever won office without Ohio and my jaw dropped and I swear to you, I got tears in my eyes. I must have looked ridiculous, but honestly, I was THAT moved. Not to mention, I was thrilled that it was so early, still. I don't fare well with late nights these days and was dreading the possibility of a midnight announcement.

And not only did Obama win, he won by a lot. Not just a few electoral votes. But enough that he didn't even need all the swing states to call it. That tells me something. That tells me that America wasn't all that torn afterall. That the American people were more desperate for change and hope then they let on initially and they mobilized in grandiose numbers in the end.

I wrote a few months back that I was a bit dissillusioned with how things were going. And I stand by that- it was a tough election to watch. But last night more then made up for it. I know that not everyone agrees with me. I am fully aware of the many friends who voted conservative- believe me, I've heard from most of them over these past few weeks. (Yeesh, I was the lone Obama supporter in my office... its been a bit tense and a tad degrating at times! Interesting how rude some morally conservative people can be! You wouldn't think that would be the case, but... )

But let me say this, whoever you voted for, I don't even care. Please, don't even tell me, honestly! But thank you for voting. That is what makes me so incredibly proud to be an American this morning. All over the world, and I mean ALL OVER, people are applauding Americans for rocking the vote. For taking their liberty to heart and showing up at the polls, sometimes waiting in inclimate weather and long lines, to make their voices heard. No matter what you marked on your card, you made the decision to educate yourself about change and to let your voice be heard and this is truely incredible.