joan garry

I Was a big baby on election night. Not because I cried during Barack Obama’s speech (although I did). I behaved like a big baby because I refused to go to a big election night event at my friends’ home until I knew for sure that Obama would win. Clearly, I did not trust the polls, the pundits, the Democrats or the American public.

I just couldn’t bear the thought of defeat. I couldn’t bear the thought of Supreme Court appointments made by the man who chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. I couldn’t bear the thought of Sarah Palin. I couldn’t bear the thought of how the world would see us if we passed up the opportunity to give this intelligent and gifted man the chance to take our country in a new direction.

I suppose I earned the right to feel this way. I was utterly invested in the outcome after becoming deeply involved in this campaign in a way I never had before with my heart and my skills. I raised a lot of money. I worked to amplify the power of LGBT voices and worked to turn voters into check-writing champions.

Why did I do this? Because I accepted an invitation from Obama to own a piece of the political process. He reminded me that the election was not about him — it was about us.

So here I am. It’s the morning of Nov. 5. How do I feel? Many thoughts racing through my head.

I feel really proud to be an American this morning. I feel more confident that we can get ourselves out of the messes we’ve gotten ourselves into. I feel like I own a little piece of this victory.

And my son Ben reminded me that I feel something else: gratitude. Ben is the most polite 14-year-old on the planet. He came downstairs this morning and did not disappoint.

“Thank you for taking me and Kit to the election party last night,” he said. “I am really glad we were there.”

Ben made me realize that I have a lot to be grateful for this morning. Here’s my working list:
I am so grateful that my 14-year-olds were a part of history last night — a history they will be able to share with their children and grandchildren.

I am thankful that I no longer have to wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat with nightmares about the “Bradley Effect.”

I am grateful we have elected a man who loves his kids so much he is prepared to buy them a puppy (I don’t love my kids that much).

I am so very grateful to my partner for supporting my efforts to raise money for Barack (don’t worry Eileen, I start today on my efforts to raise money for us).

I felt lucky to be standing next to my friend Lee when Michelle Obama hit the stage last night. I was so overwhelmed with emotion and he brought me back to reality. “What is she wearing,” he said to Eileen. “Looks like she hasn’t changed since Halloween.”

I am thankful that my 19-year-old is a registered Democrat.

I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I will not be watching Wolf Blitzer talk to holograms again anytime soon.

I am grateful for Americans gay and straight who fought so hard against the anti-gay ballot initiatives in Florida and California and Arkansas. These losses will break so many hearts but I know in my own broken heart that we are on an inexorable march toward equality, thanks in large measure to those who fought like hell and brought us so close.

I am thankful for the 106-year-old woman who went to the polls yesterday. Not only was her story moving and powerful but she gives me something to shoot for.

And last but certainly not least, I am grateful that we will have a president who not only recognizes the power of a community organizer but understands that in many ways, a president is a community organizer.

OK, so we got what we wished for, what we hoped for, what we worked for, what some of us couldn’t bring ourselves to believe would happen. We can exhale and celebrate. But not for long.
If Barack is to be successful, he will need all of us. His success is dependent on our participation.

I for one am fired up and ready to go.