I've been searching for a CD or original vinyl copy of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for many, many years.  I have the '82 version.  I don't want Donny Osmond.  I once had the first one - circa 1977.  It's that one I've been been dreaming of since the original albulm was ruined beyond the ability to recognize.  It was my sister's and I stole it so as to listen for hours on end at the age of fifteen.  No version since has even come close.

I've looked everywhere.  I'm really starting to think I made the whole thing up in a dream.  Yet, I know it was recorded.  I spent too much time imprinting it upon my mind to doubt that now.  It's still in there, I just need so badly for my heart to hear it again.

Will you take a moment to help?  I'm lost on my own, so am turning to my friends.  I truly hope you don't mind - but if you do, that's okay, too.  After all, these words will drop away soon enough. 

Much appreciation for any and all effort on my behalf - thanks.

Hi there, come on in.  May I get you something?  What was that?  Oh!  You're too funny sometimes.  I'm sure I can find a corkscrew for that fine gift of yours, follow me to the kitchen.  Wait - you are sharing?  Okay, let's go.  Hey guys!  We'll be right back ... throw on some tunes if you want munchies.  Whoa!  That one almost landed.  Now look, people, if I'm going to brave the frig without a flame thrower the least you can do is to show some respect.  Ouch!! 

I think we're safe in here - but you might want to watch the door.  Anyway, how are you?  Is your family doing well?  I can't hear you ... is that the Dead?  Hold on a second.  YO!  Who decided we're all hard of hearing?  Honestly, I can't leave you children alone for a minute.  Do I have to come in there?  All right, just so you're aware that I can still rule the planet while on my knees under a pile of pillows hurled at me.  Such an unappreciative bunch you are.

I give up!  Know what?  You're right.  Let's party!!  Crank up those speakers and dance 'til you drop.  If the frig doesn't eat me alive I'll join you shortly.  Oh!  It's quiet, we can't have that.  What's next?   

Hi there, come on in.  What a beautiful evening, don't you think?  Let's just stand here for a moment and enjoy the night air.  The sky. Cool!  A shooting star!  Wow, timing really is everything, isn't it?  I know ... me, too.  First I couldn't stop crying and now I can't stop smiling.  Okay.  Let's head inside and get comfortable for awhile, listen to some good music and experience what true happiness feels like.  I know, I know.  But maybe just for a moment ...

Do you have a moment?  I first asked that of you months ago.  I wondered if you had the time to give some idea or the other a moment to consider.  Many of you shared your thoughts with me and each other.  We are all enlightened when there is a freshness of thought, a clarity of understanding and a willingness to listen to the opposition.  When we consider all sides and all voices.  As our minds wrap around the possibility that we may just be wrong in our pre-conceived notions, the astonishment that results is the birth of inspiration.

We now have our inspiration.  This is our moment.  Because like catching a shooting star in the palm of our hands ... timing is everything.   

Hi there, come on in.  Yes, I know they are.  Who doesn't have slightly swollen eyes today?  Unless you're lucky enough to be so young that your skin bounces back immediately - in which case I think I hate you.  Kidding, of course.  Sort of.  Not so much.  Anyway!  Find a seat and let me get you something. 

I've kept Wendy's mussels from last night good and cold, just waiting for her to stop by and whip up that sauce she mentioned.  If she's home sleeping - rarely gets the chance - perhaps Grouch will take over.  I'm also warming some blue crab dip I plan to put out for ya'll in a bit with some toast points.  I  boiled some shrimp last night when I couldn't sleep so they're good and cold, too.  So's the cocktail and tarter sauce.  I'll put the sourdough bread and the biscuits in the oven as soon as the crab dip is hot - and there's a sauce made for those mussels.   The butter's out and getting soft.  Jam on the counter, too.

I couldn't eat last night, and I've been too emotional still today.  Suddenly - I'm starving!  Let's see ... mussels with garlic sauce, blue crab dip with toast points, chilled shrimp cocktail and warm bread and biscuits with butter and jam.  I think I'm forgetting something.  What is it?

Hi there, come on in. Oh, thanks for the extra Kleenex - I've had to resort to toilet paper.  Are you okay?  No, neither am I.  What a joyous reason to fall totally apart, and to hold on to those we love and share the wonder that is America.

Thank you.  To all of you who have worked so hard and tirelessly to help make this day happen.  To all of you who have lost sleep, heard words you'd rather forget as well as ones you've cherished, worn out shoes and yourselves.  All to give us this chance.  This President.  I am humbled as much by you as I am by him.

So now, let's listen to him speak to us on this most amazing night.  And tomorrow, let's help him lead us.

Gosh.  Where's the Kleenex? 

It's here and I can barely breathe.

Much less speak.

It's an unobtrusive little day.  Monday gets all of the attention, Friday all the fanfare.  Saturday!  Let's play, let's forget those other silly days and have fun.  Then there's the all important Sunday ... it's the one that calms us.  Gives us permission to do nothing at all if we choose.  A day of rest and relaxation.  Wednesday has it's uses - isn't it "hump day"?  Other than the obvious implications that phrase brings to mind it's also the half-way point between A (manic Monday) and B (freaky Friday).  Thursday's the cool kid on the block.  You know, the sort that doesn't need to live up to the weekend hype 'cause it's all about the anticipation.

So that leaves Tuesday.  No one cares about it, there's no interest in it's worth.  Because it has none.   It holds the space between the other, more important bookends.  Monday - UGH!  Wednesday - HUMP!  Tuesday?  Try to find a word to describe it and about all you'll come up with is flat. 

Ahhh.  Except when it is the day that will transform our lives.  When it is the day that means we will leave the shadows of the last eight years behind and celebrate the light.  When it is the day that will bring tears of joy to faces scarred by disappointment.  When it is the day we stand together and change the world.

Pretty cool, that little Tuesday.

Thank you, Barak Barack Hussein Obama.

Thank you for your courage, your strength, your tenacity.  You've never given up on us even when we've given you reason.  You've never strayed from the course despite our demands that you change direction.  You've never forgotten to dream, to hope ... while we've been engaged in petty bickering.  You've never lost sight of the vision of a better tomorrow, a better country for us all. 

Thank you.