The World Rejoices. Now for the Hard Part

"Oh, my God, I'm in tears! I can hardly believe it. Thank God, Thank God, the American people came through!"

Those sentiments from my dear beloved MIL-- JOY, WONDER, HOPE and RELIEF are echoing everywhere hearts yearn for UNITY and PEACE.



Around the world supporters of Barack Obama erupt into song and dance

An Indonesian schoolboy reacts to the announcement that Barack Obama had won the election for the U.S. Presidency Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008 at Obama's former school in Jakarta, Indonesia. Throngs have packed plazas and pubs around the world to await U.S. elections results, many inspired by Barack Obama's promise of change amid a sense of relief that no matter who wins, the White House is changing hands. (AP Photo/Ed Wray)

A man with a U.S. presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama mask dances with a friend during an election night party organised by Democrats Abroad, the overseas branch of the U.S. Democratic Party, to watch the results in the U.S. presidential elections, in Madrid Nov. 5, 2008. Democrats Abroad were holding simultaneous gatherings and parties worldwide to follow the voting results in the United States. (REUTERS/Paul Hanna)

Americans living abroad pose beside a lifesize cutout image of John McCain after he was defeated by Barack Obama in the US presidential race at an election day event organized by the US embassy in Beijing on November 5, 2008. From the bars of London to Beijing and to the small Japanese town of Obama, millions around world tuned in to see Barack Obama win one of the most anticipated US presidential races for decades. (AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN)

Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama prepare a banner as they gather in a restaurant in Rome to watch TV coverage of the presidential election results early Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Americans abroad and guests take part in a US election party at the representation of German media group Bertelsmann in Berlin on Nov. 4, 2008. Americans abroad gathered all over the world to observe their historic election, with front-running Democrat Barack Obama fighting to be the first black US president and Republican John McCain hoping for an upset win. (AFP PHOTO/Barbara Sax)

Women wearing U.S. presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama sweaters look at a television screen during an election night party organised by Democrats Abroad, the overseas branch of the U.S. Democratic Party, while waiting for the results of the U.S. presidential elections, in Madrid Nov. 5, 2008. Democrats Abroad were holding simultaneous gatherings and parties worldwide to follow the voting results in the United States. (REUTERS/Paul Hanna SPAIN)

Isabelle Mac Elhone, owner, second right, and Alain Da Silva, left, manager of the Harry's Bar hold fake ballots in a U.S. presidential election straw poll at Harry's Bar in Paris, France, Tuesday Nov. 4, 2008. Democrat candidate Barack Obama won the straw poll with 272 votes against 170 for Republican candidate John Mc Cain, though the vote here has no influence on the real American Presidential election, but provides a talking point for customers. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A sand sculpture of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, created by Sudarshan Pattnaik, is seen on the beach in Puri, India, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

An Indonesian woman in a shopping mall looks over giant posters of U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 at Obama's former school in Jakarta, Indonesia. Obama won the U.S. presidential election, an event that met with the approval of many Indonesians. (AP Photo/Irwin Fedriansyiah)

Extended family members of U.S. Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama react as election results come in, at the family's homestead in Kogelo village, Kenya, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. The village is where Barack Obama's step-grandmother lives. Africans organized all-night parties to watch the U.S. election results roll in, determined to celebrate a moment in history as Barack Obama tries to become the first black American president. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

People carry an U.S. flag as they celebrate President-elect Senator Barack Obama's (D-IL) historic White House victory in Nairobi's Kibera slum November 5, 2008. Kenyans in Obama's ancestral homeland sang and danced with joy on Wednesday as the Illinois senator they see as one of their own became the first black U.S. president. (REUTERS/Noor Khamis)

Yet even as we celebrate this remarkable moment the greater challenge lies ahead. Thirteen years ago, on another November 4th, another leader with the vision and strength to inspire--an old warrior, battle-scarred and weary of war, was struck down for offering to make peace.

Israel's kind heart was broken the day Yitzhak Rabin was felled by an assassin's bullet. We have seen that tragedy play out across the ages-- in every nation and divided land. Forty years ago we were mourning John and Martin and Bobby-- yet here we stand-- again ready to believe that with courage and unity of spirit, the world President Barack Hussein Obama wills us to hope for is still worth imagining. We hold his safety as a tender egg nestled in our hearts and commit to his promise -- that to live is to dream-- to believe there is a new day coming-- Yes, We can!