Stunderfied

If you've been reading this blog for longer than, say... I don't know. Two days? Then you will know that I am rarely at a loss for words. I am now. Regardless, I will do my best and sally forth in fine old Cheastypants style. But really, where do I start? I cannot even narrow down what I'm feeling right now to a short list of words. Proud? Yes, definitely. Captain Mommypants spent all day out going door-to-door, driving people to polls out in North Carolina, and I couldn't be more proud of the part she played in bringing Obama to the presidency. Umulu sent in my absentee ballot, and Crasey voted early. Amazed? Yes. The Fairy King, who in his own words would "rather be in church" than think or talk about politics, drove himself an hour away to the last place he'd registered to vote, and brought Obama to the presidency. Stunned? Yes. I am not what you would call an optimist, and I was terrified, absolutely convinced that victory would slip through our fingers on election day. And yet we won in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Virginia, and NORTH CAROLINA (hi, family!), something I never thought I'd see happen. Relieved, overjoyed, excited beyond words? I believe I will come up with my own word, since none that I am aware of are quite doing the job. I am stunderfied. Part stunned, part wonderment, part terrified of the great task we have set ourself to. I am stunderfied.

I do not know what a President Obama will do for this country. I am sure that at times I will celebrate and at times I will disagree quite strongly. But I tell you what. Today, after years of feeling that my vote was a futile act, I am proud to say that I, along with millions of Americans, voted for the chance to change, to improve, to build upon hope and energy and an urge to do good both at home and in the world. Regardless of how this whole thing turns out four or eight years down the road, I am proud of my generation and of my country in this moment. I looked at the crowds gathered tonight for McCain and Obama, respectively, and at one I saw nothing but white, well-coifed heads in one of the most luxurious hotels in Arizona. And in the other I saw the diversity in age, race, and creed that is the future face of the United States. We are changing, demographically, culturally, and politically, and seeing those crowds -- hundreds of thousands of people -- gathered in the open public spaces of cities and states around this nation, I was both proud and wistful. Proud that I am witnessing the moment in which the hope for change expressed itself in the voice of the people, and wistful that I am watching history happen in my home from so far away.

Congratulations, President Obama, and good luck.