I spent tonight in a huge African-American church in Dallas. [View All]

[Erin Elizabeth]

There were about five or six other white people there besides myself and my daughter. I was there with two of my friends and their families.

I am SO glad I was there. It was an absolutely amazing evening. The moment the full choir started to sing a very uptempo spiritual, the big screen, which was on CNN, called it for Obama. It was a moment I'll never forget for the rest of my life. A huge shout went up, the choir burst into song, and everyone began to cry, hug, dance, clap, and pray. And cry some more. And pass tissues. I saw one family all put their foreheads together in a small quiet moment, with tears running down all their faces.

An elderly African-American woman I didn't know grabbed my daughter and I in a fierce embrace, kissed us each on the cheek, and said she loved us while she cried. We returned the sentiment and the affection. And cried.

As we were walking out into the cool night air, we noticed a half harvest moon and the women in front of us were talking about unity, about coming together, and about hope. They were still crying tears of joy.

All over the place as I drove back home through Dallas, I heard cars honking their horns. I saw and heard fireworks in the distance, just south of the city.

No one is sleeping tonight. This is the beginning of a completely new time. And it's gorgeous, isn't it? Oh, as for myself, when they announced it? I just stood there for a moment, my hands clasped over my mouth, and cried.