Originally Written January 9, 2008

Two big stories came out of New Hampshire last night. Both John McCain and Hillary Clinton were left for near-dead, and both surged to make things interesting again. I guess we ought never underestimate the Clinton turnout machine.

Before leaving for the office this morning, I had the pleasure of watching MSNBC again, and Barack Obama. It’s a journalistic carnival the way these guys treat him. This is especially so with Joe Scarborough, who, quivering, began profusely thanking Obama for his message and his service to the country. I could not believe what I kept hearing.

Shaking my head, I snapped up, feeling the onset of an epiphany. In my thoughts, I had lost track of the time. I rechecked the briefcase, refilled my coffee, said goodbye to Sarah and Catherine, and began my drive downtown. As I was crawling through the traffic on the cold interstate, I began looking at my fellow drivers all around me, and only then began to understand how hopeless we all actually were. That only through another could the precious, soul filling emotion of hope be restored. I paused, painfully thinking I had missed my chance, that Barack Obama would never now accept me - I hadn’t been a believer. My doubts were legion, very public, and certainly beyond forgiveness.

Halfway in, the traffic was still slow, which allowed my gaze to drift heavenward. At that pivotal moment, the clouds broke, and sunlight from those same heavens poured down, flooding my car. Though on a road with thousands of others, I felt completely alone, naked in my despair. I wondered who around me would notice - or even care. Squinting, I tried to look away. But then, in that great star we call our Sun, I saw Barack Obama, smiling down at me. Surely the enveloping warmth of his peaceful presence meant full forgiveness. But I was still unsure. That is, until he winked. At that precise moment, I knew that I had been redeemed. And I smiled. And I clapped.