I had just turned the television on and five minutes later I was shouting for Don to come into the den because I could tell Joe Scarborough was about to announce this. We stood together, screaming and cheering and jumping up and down.
Minutes later, we went out on the porch and rang our cowbell over and over again. We could hear our neighbors across the road cheering in response. And as we rang the bell, a pick-up truck with a big Trump flag drove by. Oh, the irony. Perfect. (I haven’t danced in the street yet, but I will today.)
I was so moved by people everywhere pouring out onto the streets in celebration. It was like VE day, or more accurately, a day when a dictator is no longer in power. Stunning. I’ve never seen anything like it before in this country. Democracy is saved. Fascism is toppled.
And the fireworks in London, the bells ringing in Paris! The whole world was watching and cheering us on.
President-elect Joe Biden. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Hope. Compassion. Goodness.
This morning, I am feeling a peace that I haven’t felt for over four years. So is Don. I can’t stop smiling. Yes, I know OM will create any trouble he can, but you know what? He’s no longer relevant. I’m not going to allow him to enter my celebration. He’s out. And every grifter that he appointed is out, too. My best friend called yesterday and she said she was so happy but worried about OM and I urged her to just BE. To be in the moment and to enjoy the victory of good over evil. My sister called me saying “I just need to hear your voice.” Darko called. We spoke to our friend Rob out in San Diego. I imagine you were doing much the same.
Enjoy this, my friends. Bask in it. After four years of this madman, we see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank God.
Much, much love to you all.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
NYCgirl says
HOW SWEET IT IS.
Claudia says
Oh, so sweet!
Stay safe, Naomi!
Helen says
Sending love from the UK where we too have been following it closely and wishing and hoping….finally you can all breathe and regain some sanity. Wish we could do the same with our leaders……….!!
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Helen! We are so relieved today.
Stay safe!
April says
I woke up this morning feeling the same way! I feel so relieved. It’s amazing! Much love to you and Don also. Happy Sunday! xo
Claudia says
Isn’t it a great feeling, April?
Enjoy!
Stay safe.
brendab says
What did one country say? Welcome back America. Let’s just BE…I love that…I want to BE happy…to bask in Hope…to realize that we ARE BACK…no matter what happens between now and January…I want to BE…and when we watch BIDEN sworn in as President and Harris as VP…we will begin anew in our nation…thank you for keeping us on track during this period…prayers prayers prayers-God is in Control…He answers our prayers…whatever one believes…I believe that with all of my heart.
Claudia says
I loved that – “Welcome back”
Stay safe, Brenda.
Melanie Riley says
I am feeling everything you are this morning, Claudia. We have neighbors down the street – right across from each other – that both have Trump flags and signs in their yard. As I was driving by yesterday, I said out loud, “You can take down your damn signs and flags now, idiots!” OK, so I probably need to have more compassion, but I was SO sick of seeing that crap.
I loved seeing my Chicago friends videos on FB of their neighborhoods spilling out into the streets, honking car horns and cheering and waving flags. It was beautiful. And the videos from Paris and London…those made me cry.
I happened to be on the phone to my neighbor-friend yesterday morning when all of a sudden she said, “Wait – I just got an alert on my phone from CNN. I think Biden may have won.” That’s how I found out. And we hung up and both turned on the TV. And then some other friends were texting me, including my BFF from Canada. And my friend in Bristol, England messaged me, too. It was such a wonderful feeling to know that the WORLD was celebrating.
xoxo
Claudia says
Hopefully, those signs will come down soon!
So happy today!
Stay safe, Melanie!
Donna says
Melanie, your comments about your neighbors and their flags made me smile. My sister-in-law, said as she drove by every house in her town that had a Trump sign, she was yelling out the window ‘Your Fired’! Childish I know, she said, but it made me feel so good!
Cathy S says
What a relieve! Love and huge hugs to both you and Don.
🇺🇸🎉🍾
Claudia says
Same to you, Cathy!
Stay safe!
Edis Castilho says
Congratulations to all Americans, I was happy. The United States is really the beacon of the world as he said and everything that happens there in one way or another reflects for the whole planet.
Claudia says
Yes, it does.
Thank you Edis!
Stay safe!
Petra1945 says
Claudia, within seconds of seeing the News on my screen I was toasting IT’s downfall, clinking glasses with a friend. Each in our own home… we did it by Whatsapp, with photographs of our wineglasses! It’s currently safer, of course.
And, mind you, we are Dutch and living in the Netherlands. He was THAT much of a thorn in everybody’s hide.
Claudia says
Thank you so much! It means so much to hear well wishes from all over the world, Petra.
Stay safe.
Chris says
Hi, friend. A big THANK YOU to you and Don for your hard work in helping to elect Biden/Harris! Our national nightmare is almost over. Your friend you’ve never met, Chris.
Claudia says
You’re welcome. Some of the most important work I’ll ever do. Now, on to help the Senate race in Georgia.
Stay safe, Chris.
Nora Mills says
So happy for you and Don, and everyone else. Even those who voted for the disgusting liar will benefit from the new administration. If nothing else, the raging rhetoric will Peter out. It was heartening to know the world was joyous and hopeful too. I am trying to be in this momentous moment without fear for the future. When I heard OM called “a lame duck” last night, it felt so right. I know that’s not a new term, but…Donald Lame Duck Tr*mp has a ring to it.
Claudia says
Lame Duck is oh-so apt, Nora!
Have a great day and enjoy this news.
Stay safe.
Sharon says
Congratulations! The world seems like such a brighter place today.
Claudia says
It sure does!
Thanks Sharon.
Stay safe!
jeanie says
Pure elation! Joy! Radiance! Hope!
Claudia says
All of the above!
Stay safe, Jeanie!
AndreaJane says
The whole world feels lighter. What a fabulous feeling to wake up feeling joyful and hopeful, rather than the usual dread and shame.
Claudia says
Amen!
Stay safe, Andrea!
Donnamae says
Yes…still ecstatic here, too. I was chatting yesterday with my friend on the Isle of Man. She’s the MIL of my London son…and we’ve became fast friends. All of a sudden she got an alert on her phone…Biden won! She new before I did! What a glorious day…and the speeches last night? Spot on! I’m so proud of the voters in this country…everyone came together and voted!
The sky seems bluer this morning,.,.the air fresher….and my shoulders lighter. I can stand up straight. Hope you have a wonderful day, filled with dancing in the streets! Stay safe though!! ;)
Claudia says
Thank you, Donna!
Stay safe!
Lynn Cecil says
You were one of the first people I thought of yesterday knowing the joy you were feeling and sharing that joy. I burst into tears and had quite a good cry several times throughout the day. Today I feel cleansed and happy. We’ve gotten so many congrats from our families in Australia (my mother-in-law was a WWII Australian war bride)…it’s wonderful to be able to hold our heads up again. I know the next two months will be filled with some trying days but now there is a light at the end of this Long tunnel. Hugs to you Claudia
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Lynn!
Stay safe.
Siobhan says
Best news of 2020 ( or should that be ever?)
Had a celebratory swim at my favourite beach in honour of the victory of Biden/ Harris
A little chilly but worth it.
Welcome back USA- we have missed you
Siobhan
Claudia says
We have missed all of you!
Stay safe, Siobhan!
Carolyn Marie says
I wish to never spend another shred of emotion or worry on him again. I never want to see his face or hear his words.
Claudia says
I feel the same, Carolyn.
Stay safe!
Ellen D. says
So relieved! The future looks brighter now!
Thanks for your work and the encouraging words you shared with us along this long journey!
Stay safe!
Claudia says
You’re most welcome, Ellen!
Stay safe!
Di says
Took the same photo! I was bent at a weird angle and my back went out – first time in 4 years. Coincidence? It’s great to realize that I’m again living in the same country I thought I lived in before November 2016. We’ve got a long road ahead of us to repair the damage, but we’re back!
Claudia says
We are back!
Thanks, Di!
Stay safe.
Christine Brunton says
Oh Claudia, I am sooo happy for your country !!! Yes, now I will be a returned traveller, I hope this brings a ‘United “ back into your part of the world ! Christine from Australia
Denise says
This Aussie woke at 6am Sunday feeling a whole lot safer in the world
Siobhan says
Ditto x
Claudia says
Yes, indeed!
xo
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Christine!
Stay safe!
Anne V says
Oh, happy day! No time at all before he’s all packed up and out the door, the White House is liberated (and fumigated) and we are truly rid of him.
Claudia says
Fumigated for sure, for many reasons!
Stay safe, Anne.
Barbara W. says
It felt like waking up to Christmas this morning! So happy and relieved for America and all of us. Harris’ speech literally moved us to tears last night. On a lighter note, I snapped a photo for IG of the TV screen when they announced the moment of victory and later noticed the headline at the bottom. Maybe the beginnings of accountability? Have a wonderful, happy day everyone!
Claudia says
Thank you, Barbara!
Stay safe!
tammy j says
I rejoice with ALL of you here and everywhere around the world.
I pray that Mr Biden’s wonderful true statemanship will unite us all again!
Claudia says
If anyone can do it, it’s Joe!
Stay safe, Tammy.
Chris K in Wisconsin says
Ding Dong the witch is dead. That is the song that was in my head when I woke up this morning.
My DIL took a pic last night of the wee one watching the TV as Kamala spoke. It brought me to tears. The entire day had me in tears. Just before the speeches last night, we heard fireworks in our little village. I am not a fireworks fan, but they sounded joyous and perfect for that moment!! I felt like my ears had finally stopped bleeding after 4+ years of crap being spewed at us hourly. Isn’t that a form of torture?? On the news this AM they said Joe had been to Mass with his family and had already had a short meeting. And the idiot golfed on.
Claudia says
Of course he did. And he’s trying to contest the results, but it won’t work. What a baby he is.
But back to happiness! Yay!
Stay safe, Chris.
Linda Mackean says
I am feeling the Joy, the relief and like I can breathe again.
Claudia says
Amen!
Stay safe, Linda!
kathy in iowa says
lots of work to do ahead by both parties and other people everywhere but for now we can rest and relax, celebrate and yell “more cowbell …!” (will farrell makes me laugh every time).
here’s to better days!
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
One of my favorite skits ever.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Estelle says
le diocèse de Paris dément cette information. «Nous n’avons reçu aucune consigne pour faire sonner les cloches en l’honneur de la victoire de Biden. Donc, à Paris, aucune cloche n’a sonné suite à cette nouvelle. Il arrive que nous fassions sonner les cloches sur des sujets politiques, sur demande de la mairie de Paris. C’est le cas par exemple, chaque année à la fin du mois d’août, pour célébrer la libération de Paris en 1945. Mais hier, il n’y a eu aucune demande.»
Cette vidéo ne montre donc pas «les cloches de Paris sonner pour célébrer la victoire de Biden». D’ailleurs, la scène n’est même pas filmée à Paris, mais à Meudon, dans les Hauts-de-Seine. Le clocher que l’on peut apercevoir dans la vidéo est celui de Notre-Dame de l’Assomption. En arrière-plan, on reconnaît le Mont Valérien et, plus loin, les tours de la Défense.
So, no, infortunately, the bells didn’t ring in Paris for Biden’s victory .
Stay safe!
Claudia says
I’m going to let myself think that they did!
Merci, Estelle.
Stay safe!
Estelle says
Oops! Unfortunately
Claudia says
xo
Beverley in Melbourne says
You sound absolutely ecstatic…I’m so pleased for you and your country. The world has let out a collective sigh of relief. The Sydney Harbour bridge was flashing red, white and blue also.
Stay safe. xx
Claudia says
How wonderful!
Thank you, Beverley!
Stay safe.
Vicki says
Love to you and Don, too, Claudia. Yes, so many emails and phone calls with everyone ‘in our circle’ feeling so much lighter; the huge weight gone of zero leadership and an inhuman mammal in the top position.
The key word to me, in your beautiful post here today (perfectly capturing the moments; some of which I was unaware, like the ringing of the bells in Paris), is irrelevant. Trump is irrelevant. Neutered. I feel rid of a disease worse than Covid.
This, along with our SoCalif weather which will dip into the 30s tonight; but with a day windblown in a good way, blue skies and sun after enough rain that it left our ground dampened all day yesterday (WET, not soft powdery DIRT from lack of rain), and the most sleep I’ve had in weeks/months (9 hours straight!), Sunday is a good day in Vicki Land.
I really noticed when the people were dancing in the streets at The White House, how beautiful the autumn trees were; all that orange; gorgeous!! But the weather must have warmed, because the people in Philly were wearing shorts and tees, so where did snow go??!!
Claudia says
There wasn’t any real snow to begin with, especially not in Philly or DC.
Stay safe, Vicki!
Vicki says
I wonder where I thought there was snow; I know you had a little in the Northeast; they had some in the Dakotas, Wyoming, Colorado but that’s West; so I guess snow for the rest of the ‘East’ is more like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hey, I’m out here on the edge of the Pacific Ocean; so, clueless! Geographically confused! I’ve never been to Pennsylvania or Washington DC.
Claudia says
xoxo
Karen says
Error, fireworks in London for Guy Fawkes. They happen every year. Nothing to do with the election. Sorry.
Read up on Guy Fawkes and you might make some interesting connections!
Claudia says
I know all about Guy Fawkes! And just like the bells in Paris, I like to think the timing on these celebrations and our election results is not a coincidence!
Stay safe.