For the past months I have been working my tail off to defeat the nasty parental notification initiative on our ballot. THANK YOU to all who helped and who voted NO on Prop 4! We did it!!!!!! 

I am so inspired by the way in which this country came out in support of the most inspiring Presidential candidate (might I say) EVER, that I am having graphic dreams about him… Creepy? I kinda’ think so- and if I could control myself, I would. 

My friend eased my concerns a tad by suggesting that maybe this is just the most amazing knight-in-shining-armor fantasy one could ever hope for, and that it is triggering my most nerdy of dreams… which I can only hope must be happening to other women. PLEASE confirm, people, that I am not the ONLY total pervert who can’t stop fantasizing about Barack Obama. I mean, besides this chick (who is going down, by the way, cuz Obama is MINE). 

But let’s be real. On Thursday morning, my sleep-deprived, still a bit hung-over from the excitement of Tuesday night self drove out to Cal State Northridge to give a talk about advocacy work to a group of Social Work students. In the car, chugging my giant latte, I heard a really amazing piece on KPCC about a group of high school students who held a mock election on Tuesday-finding an awesome, positive way to channel the frustration of being too young to cast real votes in the most monumental election of their time. Now (disclaimer), in the wake of the Prop 4 defeat (wooohoooo!), lack of sleep, utter Obama joy, and devastation of the passage of Prop 8- I was particularly emotional- but the NPR story made me tear up. Here were 15, 16, 17 year olds so moved by this election that they just couldn’t help themselves but to cast ballots- mock or not. 

Many of them did much, much more during this campaign season as well. So many of them showed up to volunteer for me and many other organizers- made phone calls, canvassed, rallied and influenced adults to vote on their behalf. I am especially inspired by them this week. As I am only a decade or so their senior, I am scarred with a good deal of synicism, paranoia and let’s face it, have a few decent conspiracy theories in my back pocket. But for them, this is the beginning of their experience with politics- and it is in many ways truly their day. I am both jealous that this is their entry point, and excited for them- as I am for myself, my own children to be, and grandchildren. 

With that excitement comes a great deal of responsibility that we all share from this day forward. As Obama said in his victory speech on Tuesday night (and I paraphrase), this is the first step towards change, but not the change itself. This is our opportunity to give a little more, volunteer, reach across the proverbial isle in our own lives, and build a better future for ourselves, those teens, our children and grandchildren. This is our moment.

I wish that we could bottle the excitement from Tuesday- the joy that I felt knowing that all of the hours that we all put in paid off. I wish I could summon the goose bumps I got when my mom, sister and brother called me from Grant Park where they stood with thousands of fellow Obama supporters and watched our President elect take the stage with his family. But that moment has passed- and now what? 

I know what. Those Social Workers to be, high school students, and volunteers from all of these campaigns have got to shake off the exhaustion, and get back on the horse. We still have a TON to do- to repeal the marriage ban, continue to protect our reproductive rights, end the war in Iraq, and build a more just and unified globe. 

PLEASE don’t let all of the hours that you donated go to waste- get back in the game. Sign up to volunteer, make a difference locally, keep letting your voice be heard. Go here and make your personal pledge to do your part. If nothing else, email me if you’re at a loss- I have some ideas on how to keep this momentum going. 

Lots of love, appreciation, apprehension and joy. XO, sara.