President Elect Obama

As I write this, strong winds are gusting outside. My wife said they were the winds of change.

As Barack Obama said in his victory speech, he will be everyone's President. Not just President to the blue states or red states, but to the entire United States.

With tears in my eyes, I was touched by the images of inclusive diversity in the faces of the hundreds of thousands watching his speech in person and across the country. Their heads were uplifted, beaming with smiles on their faces and in their hearts.

Faces of hope faced with great challenges requiring sacrifice and hard work and our historical attitude and creed...yes, we can!

I was also very proud of our country for the seamless transfer of power. It was only a few minutes after the closing of the polls in the west, that Obama was declared the winner. Ten minutes later, John McCain conceded and within 30 minutes of being declared President Elect Obama, our next President was speaking to the nation and world.

Not a shot fired, no violence, no dispute, just a clear message to the nation and to the countries of the world that the United States of America is still the greatest democracy in the world.

And now, the celebration continues as I watch images of people around the nation and world taking to the streets with joy in their hearts.