It's over!

I am SO glad the election is OVER. I was so tired of all of the negative campaigning and endless discussions (really more like debates) between close friends and I.

Don't worry, I'm not going put my personal views on my public blog. One thing I have learned about myself over the past year is that from here on out I will be a more private person about my political views and will avoid talking politics which lead to arguments with people that I love. And also don't worry, I am not going to gloat or wallow on about Obama. I was never trying to win votes for him (except maybe when he was up against Clinton) and I hope that the only thing you heard from me was an encouragement to vote period, no matter who it was for. Right now, I just want to share what the election night meant to me.

I felt so honored to have been able to vote in this election. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. To think that we were either about to vote in our first woman vice president or our first black president was so exciting to me! The person I voted for won but as I was watching the results, I was flooded with emotions. I was so happy. Yes, I was excited for Obama, his wife, Joe Biden and their families. I was so surprised of the outcome. I was scared. I was so sad for John McCain and Sarah Palin and felt connected to them. I instantly started crying. I just thought about all of my friends who believed so strongly that he was right for our country and how they must be feeling at this point. Everyone fought so hard for so long. I didn't feel like "my side" won and their side lost. I felt awed as I watched this history unfold on the television. I was envious of the moment all of the African Americans were sharing across the country and was so delighted for them. This country has come so far through the years. I have never been more proud to be an American, not because Obama won, but because I REALLY grasped the importance of what America stands for. I really do have great hope for the country and everyone who lives in it.

Despite what many believe, I have so much respect for both John McCain and Sarah Palin. I believe that McCain really loves this country and I would have strongly supported him if he had become the president-elect. I am so proud of Sarah Palin; it has been a great election for women in politics! She was a refreshing change and was straightforward with her beliefs. I have heard many people say that when they vote they are “just choosing the lesser of two evils.” I don’t feel like this was the case in this election at all!

For those out there who are not excited about the outcome.... that's okay. My hope is that Obama will make the right decisions, earn more trust and faith and that our country as a whole can support him. This is our time to come together! Let’s unite and be proud Americans together. I feel this country has been so divided for too long. As citizens of the United States, we should support whoever is the President….. again I am not saying this because Obama won……I would have thought that no matter who won, even Bob Barr or Mickey Mouse!

I think both Obama and McCain had inspiring speeches that night, but my favorite quote comes from Sarah Palin:

“I have absolutely no intention of engaging in any of the negativity, because this has been all positive for me, for what I believe in, the values that I represent and the progress that I want to see America be able to make. Just absolutely no time for the pettiness......This is an historic a moment,” she said. “Barack Obama has been elected president. Let him be able to kind of savor this moment, one, and not let the pettiness of maybe internal workings of a campaign erode any of the recognition of this historic moment that we’re in. And God bless Barack Obama and his beautiful family and the new administration that we’re in. It is time that we all pull together and work together and America is going to reach her destiny." -Sarah Palin

My intentions definitely were to avoid offending anyone so I hope that didn’t happen. I am just thrilled and excited for so many reasons.

God Bless America!!!