New Era

In just two days Bush will no longer be the POTUS. Hurray to that! And Barack Obama will be the next POTUS. Double HURRAY to that!

I was offered an inauguration ticket. I don't know whether that was because I volunteered so much during the campaign or because I gave whatever I could of my money so that Obama could pay his people.

I loved all the field organizers that worked out of my town's field office. They were all young, idealistic people, people who had put their own lives on hold to take part in something greater than themselves. They felt a calling, and they literally dropped everything to help out in the movement that they saw as their generation's duty. Most of them were college students who had taken a year off. Now what did I do when I was in college? Hmmm. Some were already successful in their careers, but were besieged by doubts as to whatever they were doing was at all meaningful.

Now we are about to swear in Obama as our new president. I believe that this is a moment that I will not forget the rest of my life. I wish I could have gone to the inauguration. I had to give up the ticket because I was offered only one ticket. But I can't possibly go without my family. They helped me volunteer. My husband by babysitting countless hours, my children by helping me decorate the office, sort papers, make meals for the staff members. It was an effort that really took the whole family.

As Tuesday nears, I am going to sit back with my family and watch the inauguration. And I will be beaming with joy.