My Journey with Bernie

Cheers and shouts for “Bernie, Bernie, Bernie” are rewarded as he finally approaches the podium, takes the microphone, waves to the standing ovation of the full capacity crowd and says “Whoa! There's a lot of people here. Are you all ready to make a revolution? You have come to the right place.”

I am thrilled! I feel so energized, proud, and thankful to be here.

Bernie immediately begins his now familiar speech, prompting applause, standing ovations, and cheers. The more the crowd cheers, the more Bernie captures the energy from the crowd and delivers his message focused on issues and for a future to believe in. As I listen and look at others in the crowd, I know that I am a part of something special.

The power of the crowd is kinetic and propels Bernie as he gathers more energy to articulate his message. Bernie has been on his feet all day, speaking at local events, meeting with union leaders, seniors, volunteers organizers, and potential voters, but appears to be just warming up. After standing up and cheering for Bernie for this entire time, I would like to sit down but know that I will not stop cheering for Bernie. I realize that Bernie has a source of energy that propels his message and powers the audience in return. And, Bernie is just warming up! I bet he could talk about these issues all day and all night! I realize that not only is Bernie a great leader, but also he has incredible stamina. For all of us in the audience, this is just the beginning. Bernie has been speaking all day in Reno, all year across America, and for many decades delivering his message.

As the speech reaches its conclusion, most of the cheering crowd of 2,000 people in the audience rush to the stage to try to get closer to Bernie, take a photo, and shake his hand. I head in the opposite direction and follow the other volunteers to the back of the room. Before the rally, the campaign told us that we might get a chance to meet Bernie briefly in a brief private meeting.

As the volunteers line up to enter the room, I am near the front and am one of the first to meet Bernie Sanders. I shake his hand, thank him for his service, and snap a quick “selfie photo.” I notice that his coat and tie are well worn and that he does not have any security, only a few members of his campaign support staff.

Bernie gathers us together with a short speech and asks us to do more to help the campaign. He tells the group of volunteers that we must do more. It is not about Bernie Sanders; it is about us. The political revolution requires millions of Americans to stand up and say “enough is enough.” Bernie is asking me to do more. Bernie tells us that he has been making speeches, recruiting volunteers, and getting out the vote for more than 40 years, but it is not about him, it is about us. As he speaks, he points his finger at us, and then directly at me. As I look at Bernie and look in his eyes, for the first time, I truly feel the Bern.

I. Feel. The. Bern.