the bus ride over...

so on friday i was supposed to go on a staff retreat early in the morning in yelm, but my childcare fell through so it delayed my plans a bit. as a result, we had some time in our day to head over to the big rally at the key arena for barak obama. so isabelle and i got ready and decided to take the bus downtown.

the bus ride was worth it all.

we waited patiently at the bus stop even though it was windy and cold to the bone and the bus was 20 minutes late.

when the bus finally got to us it was pretty full. we were able to snag one last seat and sit down. and pretty soon we met a bunch of different people who were all heading to the same place and there was a distinct feeling of excitement in the air. there was so much chatter and people talking about their excitement to see obama.

at the next stop about 20 more people hopped on the bus and among these folks about 15 were 7th graders. we starting talking with a couple of these middles schoolers and they shared that they too we're heading to the key arena. these kids were so excited and articulately shared their ideas on politics and their hopes for the candidates and outcomes of the election. i remember thinking to myself,"did i think about these kinds of issues when i was their age"? and the answer to that question is absolutely: no!

the amazing aspect of this event is that it was drawing different people with different backgrounds from everywhere. there is something about obama-- his passion, his vision, his ability to unite people and to inspire action that i don't think i've ever seen in my lifetime or thought possible ever. but somehow, obama is able to cross divides, break down barriers, challenge people to care and inspire people to hope again. i felt that from each person on that bus-- the potential to hope.

we finally made it to our stop and after hearing that the venue was full isabelle and i ran as fast as we could to get to the door, but unfortunately the rumor was true they were at capacity and were turning people a way.

even outside the energy was high and people were excited to just be in the same vicinity as obama. it was an inspiring turnout. as i took a quick survey i was so inspired to see such a diverse crowd: people ranged from young to old, from different ethnic backgrounds and social classes. i haven't seen anything like it in all my life.

so we didn't get in, but the bus ride was worth it all.