Thursday, November 8, 2012

We did it.

*This is a letter to myself. I need a venue to just release my experience of the last month. I promise I'll curtail the political rhetoric to the best of my abilities in the future but for today just sit back and listen*

The emotional roller coaster  I've been on the last few weeks has been a crazy one, but I would do this again 100 times over. It was absolutely amazing to be apart of the team. I'm sure my experiences were like so many others in field, but the people and the volunteers I worked with were the greatest and the most frustrating all at the same time. Honestly, one of the greatest moments of my life was being on the staff call with POTUS today, after winning the election. E-day was just so surreal, I couldn't believe that it was really happening and we won. I spent the evening just thinking "is this really happening, no, they're still going to throw something at us." The win, hours of work, the emotional highs and lows of constituent contact, the massive disruption in my life plans and my utter exhaustion, none of it had sunken in. Not until that call when POTUS came on to thank the team. That's when it hit me. When he got chocked up about how honored he is to lead us, I just lost it. I started sobbing. I beyond proud to represent him, and beyond honored to have him say so many amazing things about our team. The weight of the last 5 months of stress just completely bottomed out from under me and I just melted. As I was driving to get some coffee and go break down the office, listening to that call and sobbing I spot one of our local characters Dwayne.

Dwayne spent a good seven hours of election day in front of our office with his boom box and an Obama sign dancing, inviting people in and encouraging the random passerby to vote. As I was utterly overwhelmed with emotion I pulled up to a stop sign and who do I see across the street? It's Dwayne still with his boom box still dancing a day later, screaming "Obama! Obama! Obama!"  I had to park the car and give him a hug and just thank him. He and the rest of these hard working people make this so worth it. He will probably never leave Steubenville, he'll never graduate college nor will he have the financial security that so many of us have grown accustomed to. But our president has made his life better. Duane has healthcare coverage for the first time in decades. His foodstamps are still there when life is especially hard. His utter enthusiasm for our President and the good work we've done and will continue to do, brings a smile to my face. He is why I did this. I'll never forget Dwayne dancing in the streets for President Obama in Steubenville, OH. Never.

10 comments:

Jen said...

I love this post!!!! :)

Nat said...

Love this!! I can't even imagine what you experienced but it had to be surreal!! Woohoo for another 4 years
I've actually been to Stubenville, OH before- is that where you've been the past month?

Anonymous said...

What a touching story. Thank you for sharing!
Even though I am North of your border, I am so completely thankful for all the work you did. It is terrifying that the election was so close when it seems like such a simple choice to others. I am one happy canuck with Obama as a presidential neighbour for 4 more years!! THANK YOU!!

Neisa said...

Oh my gosh, this post made me cry. What an amazing experience this was for you. Becuase of President Obama, my mother will finally be able to see a doctor without using all her savings or not paying a bill. I am so proud that he is our president. I would vote for him again and again. I cannot thank you enough for all the work you did to help Obama stay in office. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us too. Get some rest :)

Unknown said...

Wow, what an amazing journey and experience!! My sisters and I went to a young professionals watch night party in Atlanta and the atmosphere was charged with so much energy and when that victory came, the roof was on fire!! We too were in shock and awe. Thanks for sharing that touching story of Dwayne, it's people like him that we have 4 more years, yay!

Allyssa said...

Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I can only imagine how amazing the victory felt on election night!

emily fitzgerald {once in a blue room} said...

yayyy!!!!!!

cynthia said...

*sniff* What an amazing experience. Thank you for your work. I voted for him and am glad Ohio did, too. :)

My-cliffnotes said...

Love love love!!

Simply Evani said...

<3 I'm so happy too!

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