Genghis and I both turned a year older at midnight tonight, about the exact same time Obama began his acceptance speech in Chicago. I think it's fair to say that we couldn't have received a better birthday gift. I will never forget this night.

You should have seen the love and camaraderie being displayed in New York, between and among complete strangers who like me just couldn't stop smiling. If a night like tonight doesn't make one proud to be an American, and hopeful for the future, I don't know what could.

Thanks Genghis for setting up the party in NYC, and to dagblog for some excellent liveblogging of the night's events, and of course, to everyone who voted: I obviously am more in tune with those who pulled the lever for Obama, but democracy only works when all sides have the chance to be heard.

Just to finish up before I TRY to go to bed tonight (the adrenaline may not let me), I wanted to post one of the more poignant signs I saw tonight, displayed during one of the local NYC news report. It read (with a little bit of editing):

Rosa sat,

so Martin could walk,

so Barack could run,

so our children could fly.