"You know, they said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high.

They said this country was too divided, too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose.

But on this January night, at this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do." — Senator Barack Obama, January 3, 2008.

Written into the screenplay of every grassroots effort is that indelible turning point where promise meets purpose to forge a new prologue. Exactly one year ago tonight was the preface for history in the making. I'll never forget the mad dash to call up my mom at work and trying to explain in almost incoherent decibels that the game done changed. The impromptu need I felt to testify as the jubilant supporter in the audience yelled "yes they did!" in response to Senator Obama intoning "they said this day would never come" as the introduction for victory.

As improbable as the journey to the White House was and still is, it's almost harder to believe that an entire year has flown by since that winter night when the inevitability myth surrounding the Clinton machine was shattered for good. Back then, I was considered crazy by most of my family and friends for such fervent early support of the skinny Black guy with the funny name. What were the odds for the longest of long shots? The pollsters were about as organized as FEMA when it came to reaching a general consensus, the punditocracy was eager to get the coronation underway and Black voters in general were wary of the rookie with the grand ambition but short track record.

In a state where the general population's 95% White, the outcome hit the reset button in more ways than one. Michelle Obama stated the plain truth that if the knockout blow wasn't delivered in Iowa, the campaign would all just be a dream. Luckily for us and to the chagrin of Slick Willy, this was no fairy tale. And now we're a mere 17 days away from the little known underdog becoming the 44th President of the United States.

Pinching myself on the road down memory lane never felt so good.

Labels: Barack Obama, Indecision '08, Iowa, politics, reflection