LaKeishaChestnut member for 31 weeks 5 days Send a message

So it's been almost a week since I have returned from the Democratic National Convention, and I will admit, it took me longer than I thought to come down off this emotional high I've been on since Thursday night. It was an emotional week, but we came out of this more united than ever. No offense to my friends who are Republicans, but the Democrats is the party that KNOWS how to PARTY!! We basically "Baracked it out!!"

So let's start with Sunday, the day of my arrival in the Mile High. I didn't do much during the day, but I was up at 4:00am for a 7:00am flight to Denver. I arrived in Denver around 11am MDT (12pm for all my Central time zone folks. 1pm for my friends on the East Coast.) I checked in my room, and just got a sense of what was around. I got my swag from the Alabama Delegation office (Two bags, one from the Alabama Democratic Party. One from the DNC.). Then, I went upstairs to back to my room and got ready for the welcoming reception with the Friends of New Orleans. It was a lot of people there, and I got to meet Mayor Nagin. He's was really sweet and very gracious. I tried to get in the Frankie Beverly and Maze concert, but EVERYBODY and their grandmother was there and the line was INCREDIBLY long. So I turned around, and headed back to my bus to take me back to the hotel, went to my room and got some sleep. I knew it was going to be a LONG week.

Monday morning, I got up, dressed, and headed down to what would be a morning ritual for me, the Alabama Delegation Breakfast. This was pretty much mandatory, since we got our credentials to the convention in order to get on the floor. No credentials, no convention. This morning we had to pleasure of hearing Rep. Heath Shuler from North Carolina speak to the Alabama and Georgia Delegation (This would not be the last time that the Alabama and Georgia delegations would join each other during breakfast because we were treated to a speech from Pres. Jimmy Carter and Rep. John Lewis.). After the speeches and credentials, we went on our way. I headed downtown for a lunch for the Alabama delegation that was sponsored by Rep. Artur Davis of Alabama (my congressional district). It was nice, and I got to meet Gov. Don Siegelman, who gave me a huge hug. It was great time, till I headed to "Sweet Home Al-Obama", our hospitality place in Downtown Denver. Alabama was on the map because we had THE place to hang out after the convention. The food was catered by the chef who did Barack's private meal and of course, there was the AWESOME margaritas, beer, wine, and other alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. It was a great place, and it made me proud to be from Al-Obama!

The speeches at the convention were exciting. Michelle's speech on Monday night was FANTASTIC, and she spoke eloquently about Barack. I was moved and felt honored to hear such a speech. Tuesday, Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Hillary hit home runs back to back. I left the Pepsi Center that night feeling more ready for unification. Then Wednesday, the historic day that no one at that convention will ever forget. Hillary moved that Barack be the nominee by acclamation. In one voice, we declared to the world that the Democratic Party was leaving Denver a united party. Hillary delegates and Obama delegates holding hands and dancing to "Love Train" was sight to behold. Then as if we were sitting at the last game of the Yankees and Red Sox, Pres. Bill Clinton hit a grand slam. Then Sen. Joe Biden brought it on in. When Barack showed up Wednesday night, you thought Michael Jackson had just walked in, but the place was electric! This was only the lead up to Thursday night at Invesco. When I left the Pepsi Center, my only passing thought was there any roof left. I think we might have blown it completely off.

Before I talk about my experience at Invesco, I wanted to say that YES, I did meet celebrities. Anne Hathaway is just fabulous. I met her at an awards ceremony where I was hugged by Elder Bernice King. Anne brought her brother with her, and she is a very gracious person. She revealed to me a dream she had about her movie "Ella Enchanted", I thought it was hysterical . After meeting her, we went to another gathering where I saw Tim Daly, Alan Cummings, Susan Sarandon, Giancarlo Esposito, Richard Schiff, Pras, and Matthew Modine, who I took a picture with. At the Pepsi Center, Tim Daly and Hayden Panettiere walked passed the Alabama delegation and said "Hi". Then it was meeting my "husband", Hill Harper at Congressional Black Forum. OH, did I tell you I got to sit next to Jennifer Lewis on my way to Invesco Field? Yes, the celebrities were there.

Thursday morning, the excitement was in the air. For me, I was about to be apart of history. When I arrived at the Alabama delegation breakfast, I didn't know how close to history I was going to be. During the breakfast, I was informed to check my e-mail. I went and checked my e-mail and read the message that would change my life. I was selected to sit in a special section near the podium to watch Barack's speech. At first, I thought I would just be sitting somewhere I could still see the speech and enjoy myself. OK, I thought I would be sitting like 3 rows back. When I arrived at Invesco Field, the line to get through security was LONG. It took me like an hour and a half to finally get through. When I got inside, I was informed that I would be sitting with the families. As I got to the area, I was in shock. My seat was front row center. I cried my eyes out. I was to have a front row seat to history.

As the event progressed, I thought to myself : What did I do to deserve such an honor? I was a delegate and that was an honor, but I wasn't anyone of importance. I was just an ordinary person, but I remembered something that one of the staff told me. Because I gave my time and worked hard for this campaign, I was chosen. Not because I gave a huge amount of money, but because I took up the cause and made this campaign my own. Reality really hit me when I saw Michelle. The tears of joy flowed freely even as Michelle, who saw me, held her arms out to me and hugged me repeatedly till I stopped crying. Barack's speech reminded me of why I love my country so much. I thought about how in school, I tried to be more than just a face in the crowd. I thought about how I wanted to make a difference, and because of my sacrifice, I was doing just that.

As I was leaving Invesco, I stood on the steps leading out of the stadium and looked back at the stage. I soaked in the moment. I thought of my family, friends, and classmates. I looked up to heaven, thanked the Lord, said to my grandmother, "I hoped I made you proud."

My journey is an improbable journey. It is a journey that is yet to be completed. I am glad that I am able to share my journey with you all. I leave you with this parting thought..

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things.