OMG What an amazing day

 

So, N's best friend and Maya's godmother was one of the Obama organizers for Philadelphia. We had helped her with a couple of events and she had told us that he was going to see a small audience before he boarded. Would we be interested. She couldn't promise anything and we would be working. Fine by me! So, N went and helped set up on Friday. I couldn't get out of work early to go and help, but I would definately help Saturday Morning.  Theresa called, we needed to be there by 7 am on Saturday. NO PROBLEM! So Aunt N came over and spent the night. We were all set. Can I just say that 5 am comes really early on Saturdays! We're only a few minutes from the train station and we found great parking.

 

 

Me up since 5 am.  Hey I look pretty coherent!

 

Crowd at 30th Street Station - Waiting to get in.

So it seemed like forever. We were given a few crowd control jobs, but nothing to over the top.  Then came the moment of truth. We were able to get in and sit down! We ended up with great seats, a few rows back but right infront of the podium. I couldn't believe our luck!

First Philadelphia's Mayor Nutter and Governor Ed Rendell came out.

Mayor Nutter

 

Governor Rendell

 

Then Senator Spector and Senator Casey came up.

 

 

After they finished their speeches it was SHOW TIME!!!

The President Elect Obama and his family entered from the wings to the left of where we were standing and took the stage. (I wish my pictures were better, but I was working with my Blackberry.)

 

 

 

 

The audience was going wild. The energy in the place was just amazing. Everyone was so excited, happy and very emotional.

He began to speak. The room exploded with camera flashes.  Everyone was holding their cameras over their heads to get a snapshot of the incredible moment in history that was taking place before us.  It was a magical moment.

 

 

 

 

 

And then it was over. It was time for them to leave for Washington.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little boy, a 3rd grader was standing near us. He had told his class he was going to shake the President's hand. But he was to far back. Theresa picked him up and began shouting, "We had a child behind you, please let him through. No one was budging. Theresa handed him to N who was able to hold him above and over the crowd so he could shake the President's hand. Best crowd surfing I've seen in a while.