They're the ones who say, "Remember when we were children? When times were simpler."

We'll...I sure don't. Those times were gone long before I was a kid. My thorny memories of youth are left tattered and torn by a family whose own dreams were never realized. I'm not sitting here to imbibe on the intoxicating brew of self-pity. No. I'm here to change the brew, get up and do what's right for me and to MY own recipe of happiness. And perhaps it's there, in that recipe where life and meaning can once again be as simple as grandma Jackie's explanation to her grandchild (me.) See as a little man, six years young, my school in Denver, Doul Elementary, was having a mock presidential election for the 88' race between Michael Dukakis and George Bush Sr. So I asked, "Grandma, who should I vote for?"

My Grandma told me, "Michael Dukakis."

I then asked her another question, "Why? Bush is easier to say." (Looking back...it sure was easier to say but much tougher to swallow.)

She politely overlooked my naivety and explained, "George Bush is republican and Michael Dukakis is a democrat. The republicans work for the rich people and the democrats work for the middle class who are people like us."

So her political analysis was over simplified. Perhaps. Biased.You bet'cha. True??? Well I haven't seen it any other way and at 27 years old we're looking at 21 years later.

I can still remember going to Clinton headquarters near Broadway and First Avenue to sit in the office while my mom and grandma made calls to help elect the charismatic young Governor from Arkansas, Bill Clinton to be our next president. And you know what? Back in 1992 her calls sure did work here in Colorado.

I've never missed a vote since I've had the privilege to step inside that draped poll. I haven't missed even a primary vote after being 19 years old in 2000, which was my first chance to cast my voice for the man who I thought was fit to lead our country. To lift up my shirt a bit...I've always voted blue. Thank you grandma. Today, I will be witnessing history in my very own very red state, Colorado. It's time to change that reddening brew that our state has drank for so many years and switch it to blue. It's time to make my voice for president realized for the first time and as a devout unwavering democrat I am delighted to attend the DNC to see Barack Obama speak. Mile High no longer will be the home to the best football team of all-time but the place where my president accepts his nomination. God, no time is better than now to be a democrat in my home city of Denver.

Grandma I may miss you but all I can say in your absence is thank you. You have never led me astray. Through fighting for the unions to you losing your job for your determined beliefs. I'll never forget what it means to be middle class. I'll always stand up for the hard fights. Today I'll celebrate in your honor as the spirit of your values thrives in our picturesque-city nestled beneath a range of Rocky Mountains.

Now I have tangible hope that the middle class majority andits next generation of children can, in the future, look back on their lives and reminisce about simple and very times. Our only chance for that hope: Barack Obama.