A Sad Note

Just a day before voting begins, Madelyn Dunham, Barack Obama's grandmother, has died. She saw her grandson experience and achieve an enormous amount, but she won't be there to watch the results of tomorrow's voting, which (we all hope) takes him to even loftier heights. It's good that Obama took the few days off a couple of weeks ago to make a last visit to her side, and I'm sure now he's tremendously relieved that he did.

Earlier tonight, Obama was at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he talked a bit about his grandmother. This video is quite moving as he describes her life and her accomplishments, but pay attention about 1:18 in, when he tells the crowd that he wants to tell them about her. Up until that point, his audience had been very supportive and demonstrative, answering back during his speech, but as soon as he says he wants to pay tribute to her, the crowd seems to be paying rapt attention. The silence he's offered is almost spooky.

We wish the best for Barack Obama and his campaign tomorrow, but we'll also remember his grandmother and the contributions she made to bring the nation to this moment.