Wow, the election is finally over!  I, for one, am grateful.  This election was way to long for me.  But what I have now that I didn’t before is hope.  Hope that we can all work together, that we can put our differences aside and solve the problems before us.  I have hope for the younger generation; they got energized, they cared, they believed.  I cried last night. 

I cried during Sen. McCain’s consession speech.  I saw a compassionate, dedicated man who heard what the American people said.  I heard his request that all unite to make this country a better place.  And I believe his promise to work with President-Elect Obama.  I saw the best of America. 

I cried during President-Elect Obama’s acceptance speech.  I cried at his sober undertanding of what the American people have called him to do.  I cried when he reached out to those who had not voted for him, saying he needed to gain their trust.  And I cried at his promise to work for all of us.  I saw the future for my daughter.

I hope and pray that this is a new beginning for all of us.  That we as a nation will come together as neighbors and friends and be what we all are, Americans