There seems to be a spirit of unity and love swirling around me since the election. Folks that I've come in contact with doing day-to-day chores seem to be quicker with a smile or courtesy than I had noticed in the past. I like to think that they are the ones who've changed, not me; but I think in truth, I might be relating to people in a new way. I feel absolutely proud of myself and the whole US of A! Obama seems to be just the jolt we all needed.

When I heard Caroline Kennedy say that she'd finally found a leader who inspired her the way her father was said to have inspired people years ago, I knew just what she meant. I have been a political junkie all my life. I was riveted to the TV during the Watergate hearings when I was in high school, I think I was the only person watching the teen center tv the day President Nixon resigned, I was a Senate intern when I was in college, and I have tried to keep up with national political affairs all along. I've seen more than a few political leaders come and go, and Barack Obama is the one I've been waiting for!

The fantastic thing is that my family feels the same way I do. In fact, my husband, Richard, is the one who turned me on to Obama in the first place. On election night, my son, Garrett, called me from a raucous gathering at the Georgian Theater in Athens, and earlier that day, I photographed my daughter, Ellis, as she cast her very first ballot at the tiny polling place in Dadeville, Alabama. Daughters Kate and Emma are too young to vote, but they quickly jumped on the chance to celebrate with us at the inauguration. Now, the thought of this unfolding 'sisterhood of the travelling cousins' has me grinning. Everyone is generously pitching in to make this special trip worthy of this special election. The Diments are ready! -Dana