The Magnificent Mile

OK, so I have to write about this before everything starts to go fuzzy in my mind and fade.
I had the privilege of going to Barack Obama's Presidential Election Rally this past Tuesday, November 4th in Grant Park, Downtown Chicago. We were not able to get tickets to actually see Obama speak with our own eyes. But what they did was split the park in two and saved one side for all of the people who were not able to get tickets and they had about eight jumbo trons projecting CNN as the votes were coming in and then McCain and Obama's speeches to follow.
I have to say, this was probably one of the most amazing events that I have ever experienced in my 24 years of life. The papers said that there was 175,000 people attending.. but I think it was more like 300,000+ since there was no way that they could keep track of how many people were there, let alone the amount of people waiting on the outside of the park just to be part of it all in some way. It seemed like a million people! To see all of them gather in unison. With no color, no age, no gender to separate us. We were all human beings gathering together crying out for change! It was inspiring and provoked such a good will in all that there were reports of little to NO arrest. 300,000+ PEOPLE!!! That just blows my mind!
The streets were lined with vendors selling pins, t-shirts, posters, American flags etc. All fighting for your attention. It felt for a moment like we were in a market place in Morocco or something. All of it just added to the atmosphere and gave me butterflies in my stomach just knowing that something great was about to happen.
So we watched and waited for what we had been hoping for what seemed like years to come. Just when we least expected it the big screen burst bright with the announcement that Obama had been voted president. The crowd exploded with sheer joy. People jumping and cheering. People who were once strangers embracing one another! An overflow of laughter, tears and disbelief.
We listened in respect as Senator McCain gave an extremely gracious speech. Then welcomed our new President to the stage with his beautiful wife and little girls. We listened as he thanked and inspired the masses. It was a day the world will not soon forget.
As we poured out of the park the streets of downtown Chicago became a sea of people. It gave true meaning to The Magnificent Mile. It truly was magnificent!