Gradon Tripp

Amazing to look at this photo and see how much he has aged already since this photo (taken January 8, 2008)

I have to say that this has been an amazing trip just getting to this point. I first had the privilege of seeing Barack Obama when he came to New Hampshire with Oprah Winfrey on December 9, 2007 (Security wouldn't let us bring in our real cameras and I hadn't gotten my press credentials yet). Luckily, all that changed and I was blessed to have press access the coverage of Obama's camp on NH Primary Night (January 9, 2008), Unity with Hillary Clinton (June 27, 2008) and just three weeks ago in Londonderry, NH. I feel so very lucky to have been able to see him in person. He is an amazing man with an incredible presence that is so much stronger in person than what can be viewed on a screen.

What inspired me most was the night he lost the NH Primary last January (which is where this photograph comes from). There were more people that showed up for this event and more press than the fire marshall would allow in the high school gym. Not only spectators and press were turned away. There was a huge line to get into the school. As the night drew on and the numbers came across the screen, the sadness and sorrow grew. The gym which had started out as an excited pit of energy had become as quiet as a tomb. Somber faced replaced those that had worn excitement just a short time before.

Finally, Barack Obama accompanied by his lovely wife Michelle, took the stage. He started talking and through his words, flooded that somber crowd with a fresh pool of hope. Gone was the feelings of despair and loss, replaced with hope and a renewed ambition to go forward and make this happen. It was the most wonderful and graceful transformation I have ever witnessed. It was that night that I knew it was all possible. I had real hope.

And now our dreams and hopes are realized, yet still we have a tough road ahead. But I know now that there is nothing that can stop us if we all work together for the greater good. I thank the people of the United States for hanging on to this hope and I thank Barack Obama for planting the seeds.

God Bless America

God Bless Us All

Tracy Lee

(Thank you for selecting my photograph. Sorry to have hijacked your blog.)

Hope and pride are the two emotions running through me today. This is just Step 1, but it's an enormous first step.

Bryan Person | @BryanPerson

Yes, you did. And thank you, from a future American.