I am a political junkie, I will admit that most readily. The race for president therefore is of extreme interest to me. I have followed the candidates, checked out their positions, and my heart, my absolute soul has been stolen by Barak Obama. I am a republicrat, I agree with Republican view on some matters (fiscal responsibility, smaller government, tax cuts, etc.) whereas I and purely democratic on other issues (pro choice, anti-gun, etc.) But this morning when I woke the sun rose on another world for me, as the silky rays of the sun arose over the horizon we woke to a new day, a new era, a new morning where a state which is 97% white chose a black man to be president. The air smelled cleaner this morning, the sun was brighter, the birds sang more, and the whole world sang "there is hope", there is hope for a new world, a new America! I listened to Barak's speech, it was, not to put too fine a point on it, inspiring, it brought shivers down the spine and tears to the eyes. As I listened to him, as I listened to him speak of unity and of setting aside partisan differences I cried, such was the power of his speech. This is the moment people, this is the defining moment in the history of America where they can put aside the pains of their history and can say once and for all "we are a new country." I watched history unfold last night, I watched history unfold this morning, and my heart soared with joy that perhaps now, perhaps now we can follow the vision of hope, of change, of putting a man in the oval office who will do his best for the people of this nation and who will put aside petty partisan bickering and lead. Oh the sun was so much brighter this morning, the air so much cleaner, the birds sang so much clearer, and the world looked on and said "America you got it right". And through all this my mind goes back to the days upon the Lancaster Canal, with my sister, my beloved sister, (who is black) and a whole new generation of people who were raised to be colour blind, a whole new generation who see only a man, and his brilliant wife, and his charming children and for not one second look at his colour. This is a great day. I am not sure that I will ever be able to surpass it.