In 2004, we heard a young man from the land of Lincoln electrify millions with a reminder that we are all Americans. The time had come to end the polarized politics poisoning our nation. The words were captivating enough to move many, including me, to read a book he had written some years before, “Dreams from My Father.”

Since then, I’ve been among the foolish dreamers of how far this man might lead our nation. Soon after he declared his candidacy for president, I enlisted as a contributor and volunteer to play a part in a movement to bring change to our nation through this man as a conduit for the dreams I shared with him. In my wildest imagination, I never thought he could be elected soon, but thought he was right in his audacious view back then, “If not now, when?”

Obama’s election is the unexpected culmination of a dream come true for me. I think his campaign and actions since election portend the future of a potentially great president elected in a time of great trouble. Amidst the pomp and circumstance of the inauguration, the only troubling question in my mind is whether our nation’s people, including us here in Snoqualmie Valley, will exercise the determination, discipline, personal involvement, self-denial, courage, optimism and faith needed from each of us as our contribution toward reaching the goal of a brighter day in America. On Jan. 20, President Obama will call us to service in that cause. My latest dream is that we’ll rise up and help him get the job done. I expect it to come true!

Dave Olson

North Bend