I didn't know what it felt like.

First of all, I've always been glad that I'm an American.  Despite any and all of the things our country has done that I disagreed with, I've always felt that this is my home, and I've loved it.  I can't imagine moving to another country for a job, a lover, or even a corrupt political system.

That being said, what I felt last night was something completely new to me.  

Pride.  I was proud of my country for the first time in my adult life; I could see the brightness in people's eyes - tears of happiness, partly, but also the light that knowledge brings - knowledge that good things are possible.

Yes, the word 'hope' has been overused, as has the concept of 'change'.  But, what I can say (without falling back on now stereotypical idioms), is that for the first time I understand what it must have been like in the 60's - there is not a feeling of complaisance or apathy among us, no matter which side you fall, and that is what is going to make this country different. When people care, things change. 

Yes, I'm proud of the person we chose.  I'm proud of the huge strides towards racial equality this country has made in the past 50 years, and I'm proud that we were able to once again stand up for something and someone that we believe in.  But one person cannot make all the difference.  He can lead, he can help, but together we will turn this country into something we all once again feel is our own.  

And I don't think that we are expecting too much.  I think the second you accept such propaganda is the second you no longer see the future for what it is - uncharted territory. No one can argue that the future is completely unknown, and we have the power and ability to make it what we want.

So here we go - on a ride where no one knows the ultimate destination.  We only know that this time we're not staying at home with our heads under our pillows - we're ready to go somewhere new and exciting.  We can be afraid, but we're also brave.  

And proud.  We're proud of who we are and who we're going to be.

I know we've all heard this before, and perhaps that are many among us who are tired of the new 'I have a dream' mantra.  But, it is in fact effective and meaningful to so many.  So (knowing that this is far from the last time it'll be colloquialized), I'll repeat it once again:

We can all now all say 'Yes, we can.'  

Because, 'Yes, we will.'

And, 'Yes.  We did.'