To me, a Harlem denizen, it was like being dropped off in a post Woodstock-real world funk infused-new age body politic of so called aggressive progressives. There were many opportunities to share, learn and feel what others felt about the Democratic party's presumptive nominee, one lone junior United States Senator from the mid west named Barack Obama. To say the least, many jostling bodies were experiencing the nirvana of like-mindedness in spirited, and at times spiritual, conversation about the prospect of change and the excitement of hope.

The burning questions for me, then and now, do not relent. Whether or not Mr. Obama wins this presidential contest - what does that mean for me and my country tis of thee? What will be my role therein?

Am I living a life of service in contribution to humanity? Or, am I on the sidelines watching the show, casting stones and hoping for a miracle? These vexing questions of course leave me inspired to action with a renewed sense of purpose that is not at all euphoric about what lays ahead.

As I flashback in my mind, I am instantly transported back to the long walk into Invesco Field in Denver. The teaming crowds of polysyllabic and multi-hued persons patiently awaiting the opportunity to get past security and find their seat to the Democratic party's portrayal of how to save our homeland. As I shared my walk there with an old and new friend, namely Ms. Millicent Reddick (a Harlem native like myself) and Mr. Charles Jackson (the communications director of ACORN), we were enthralled by the crowd and humbled by the heat.

We managed to get past security and the throng of volunteers whom attempted to thwart our efforts to stay together. Millicent possessed tickets directly behind the press stands and Charles and I did not. However, we did not lose our focus, although separated from Millicent by an overzealous volunteer team, as Charles and I found seats together and began to take part in what was sure to be a historic evening. I knew then that this would be my first article on this event as I saw the full expanse of teaming bodies happily seated together in unison and unity in the stadium.

As time went on, we were joined by several happy go lucky young adults, seated directly behind Charles and I, who were beaming with enthusiasm and excitement. Charles and I introduced ourselves an began an on the spot interview of a few of them, one of which was heading off to Korea as a recent marine recruit on September 11. His name was Jeff Kinsley and he is 23 years old and he also lives in Colorado. He was a quiet sober minded young man who admitted to being truly moved by the moment and inspired by Barack Obama.

We thanked him for his service and told him how proud we were of him for serving the country and being a part of this historic event. Not before long, we were joined by a vast multitude of folks and not one empty seat could be found in either direction. Thus, began the pinnacle point during this event in Invesco.

As I close my eyes now to fight back the tears, I recall the gentleman seated directly in front of me who struck up a conversation with Charles and who hailed from the lone star state. His protestations of "Barack is going to take Texas!" left both Charles and I smiling. He was an interesting soul who said he has voted Republican in the past but is concerned about where the country is now heading. He fathered Charles and I by making sure we heard each line of Barack's speech and checked in with us often around our understanding of what was being imparted. Barack's words punctuated the air and infused the entire place with a feeling of unity, humility and reconciliation. He urged us, as wayward souls, to remember that this election is not about him, or you (specifically), but about the healing of a nation and a return to being 'our brother-sister's keeper.'

Before Barack took center stage others set the tone with the importance of this moment coming forward out of a history of struggle and sacrifice. There was John Lewis, excerpts of Martin Luther King's speech along with correlate Civil Rights footage, Bernice King, Martin Luther King III and then Chairman Howard Dean. This was not only poignant but prescriptive. To have Chairman Dean followed by others such as Governor Bill Richardson and Vice President Al Gore was not only fitting but further served to pronounce the importance of remaining present and visionary. By the time Barack took the stage the crowd was primed to receive the anointing of the message for unity, struggle, change, responsibility and the audacity of hope.

As I struggled to get the few remaining camera shots that I could my worst fears became manifest when I heard a loud "BOOM!" I too felt the chills run down my spine and wondered if past ghosts of fear and terror had gripped the night air. I was pleasantly surprised and relieved upon realizing that this was an old americana display of patriotism that had supplanted the calmness of the evening sky with a traditional independence day style celebration of fireworks. However, I took notice that my heart did stop, tremble and drop for a moment at the mere possibility of what was my most palpable fear. I began to shout USA.... USA.... USA!!!! This surprised me even further because I couldn't remember ever having shouted those words so effusively, if ever before. I had such a profound sense of pride and respect for my country in that moment such that my spirit felt rekindled and ignited. I didn't want this feeling or this moment to end.

Charles then tugged at me and said let's leave before the crowd begins to form and we can't get out. I then began to shake myself out of my stupor and walk down the stairs leading from the bleachers where we were seated. By the time I got to the first landing, more fireworks ignited and I looked at the big screen and saw a beautiful picture of the Bidens, the Obamas and that's when the tears began to fall.

I couldn't fully fathom why I felt so overwhelmed but I could no longer hold back the feeling. Now I was stumbling down the stairs. I regained my balance and saw that I was walking in lock step with another participant of this phenomenal event. I glanced over to my left and beheld what appeared to be an image that was ethereal and breathtaking. I kept shaking my head and saying WOW... OMIGOD... WOW!!! I was looking for confirmation of what I had just witnessed. I mustered up the courage to ask my new found hostess if she felt as moved as I did by this occasion. She said that she too was moved and couldn't explain why she was feeling what was being felt. I asked her if I could interview her on why she attended the event and what were her impressions. As she was about to explain I asked her to excuse me for a moment as I felt a full range of emotions from joy to chills and tears, simultaneously.

I turned away from her to regain my composure and when I looked back at her she was crying as well. We both were smiling and crying and I apologized for my blubbering and asked her name. She told me her name was Nyke Soul and that she was from Alaska and had recently moved to Colorado. I remember her faintly saying she was also a Republican. I told her how proud of her I was for attending such an event and taking a step out on faith.

She said she hadn't planned to attend but felt compelled to do so at the last moment when a ticket became available for her. I asked her for contact information and if it would be okay for me to contact her for a more in depth interview at a later time. She said of course and we then embraced one another. Like the moment, I felt our embrace was magical and transcendent. That hug was a perfect crescendo that evidenced the profoundness of the evening. We looked at each other one last time and I told her I would be following up with her accordingly. As I turned to walk away I was rejoined by Charles who suggested we walk so that I might return to a space of normalcy. I thanked him for allowing me to return to my pragmatic mind and told him that I felt we had indeed experienced and embraced what had been the hopes and dreams of those ancestral forces whose shoulders we stand upon. I told him "We are The Inheritance of The Dream!"