November 4th, 2008.

I will certainly remember this date for the rest of my life. For someone in my generation, the so called Generation X, it is one of the biggest historical days of my (our) life to this point. There have been a few monumental and unprecedented days/events; The impeachment proceedings against Clinton, the Oklahoma City bombing and of course, September 11^th, 2001. But, those all reflect the negative side of government, our country and our world. November 4^th, 2008 reflects the best of our people and our nation in a number of ways. It should, hopefully, change the world. (The fact that my children got to see it makes me smile ear to ear...they are young enough to at least "get" that it was a big day, but as they get older I will take huge satisfaction watching it really dawn on them.)

The obvious reflection of positive energy and historic significance is the election of a person that is not a white male. That’s history all by itself. But, beyond that, I’m talking about the reaction. This election night showed several positive and important things to me; John McCain’s concession speech, which was a touching mix of graceful defeat and positive response and support for his “former opponent.” I love those two words in his speech for their simple message that they are no longer opponents. The race is over and a great man, a great American and a great leader won the day. McCain put us on notice that he would be behind “his” President going forward. I sincerely hope those words ring true.

The other aspect of the night was the celebratory feeling the nation over. TV footage of happy crowds celebrating in the streets and parks of cities across America, of so many people of different ethnic backgrounds, genders and religious leanings shedding the same tears of joy. That look of pride on all those faces.

At the time of writing this, I have not heard of any bad occurrences, attacks, riots or any other sort of nonsense. Our country celebrated and got interested in its own political future in a way not seen in decades. I’m proud to be an American, always have been, as we showed the world that we can in fact come together and do something that was absolutely, unequivocally, out of the question just a matter of years ago.

We elected as our President, and by no small margin electorally, a black man whose middle name is Hussein. You don’t have to go back too far when in your very own mind, I’d guess you didn’t think it was possible.

I for one am thrilled that we have finally faced up to a barrier, two to a large extent, and gotten it, for lack of a better phrase, “out of the way.” Of course, the other barrier we approached was a viable, legitimate female candidate for the Presidency. Something else I think we need to “get out of the way” too. Based on this election, I think we can all see that it is absolutely possible to break that barrier as well. Yes we can.

Welcome to the history books of the future, the ink isn’t even dry and frankly, neither are my eyes.

JReed…Says Be Well.