After watching the election results last night I find myself in the unusual place of having no words to express myself. It seems all the best words have already been used. It’s historical…a time of change…hopeful…energizing…inspiring. All those things are true, but it’s more than that. It’s history in the making that we got to watch live, and it was a happy historical moment. No one had to die, the world didn’t crumble, and yet we will all remember where we were when we knew that America finally made a huge step toward true equality for all. There was nothing but joyful tears and excited cheering, and it is important to note that all kinds of people were cheering, shoulder to shoulder, in Chicago, in New York, and around the world. Their faces were rapt, and their eyes filled as they listened to the inspirational acceptance speech.

Even if you didn’t vote for the new president-elect I hope you can feel some of the overwhelming excitement, the first we’ve felt for many months, even years. The best part is that regardless of how you voted, you get to come along for the ride, to participate in the changing of America for the better. We have hope, new plans and exciting ideas to look forward to. And though the road will be long, the work will be difficult, and some of the gilding will likely become tarnished, we have turned a corner. Together we can make things better for all of us. We can make a difference.

Yes we can.