In 2000 I fell asleep on the couch in my apartment in the early hours of my birthday... after a night of watching returns, with fleeting moments of hope and persistant moments of fear. Who could have predicted the significance of that outcome? . When I woke up the next morning, wondering what had been decided overnight- I was so naive to think that there would have been a victor.  I watched in horror over the next days, in disbelief that it came down to single votes and our democracy was superceeded by court decisions.

I fell asleep on my couch again last night- Jeff nudged me... "He did It."  I was so relieved- not only at the outcome but at the fact that it was not a day filled with "irregularities".  That we really did get out the vote.  That the contagious hope translated into action.

I woke up this morning with butterflies in my stomach. I listened to the news with tears in my eyes.  And suddenly, it was as if a huge weight lifted from my heart.  He did it. We did it.

There is much work to be done. Thankfully, we have a leader with his nose to the grindstone and hope in his heart.  My faith in democracy has been restored.    I am inspired.

It may look dark tonight but if I hold on to hope, tomorrow will be brighter. ~President Obama