Is this Hope I'm Feeling?

Almost 24 hours later, and Egypt's "Day of Departure" was a surprise. Comparable to the U.S. Million Man March on DC., tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators are still standing--some bandaged and wounded, some holding signs, and most with looks of hope on their faces. One reporter's blog read, "Fear has been defeated. There's no turning back."

From last night's reports, I expected a day of terror in anticipation of the scheduled demonstration. Instead, I feel some hope that the Egyptian people will be heard. Most want President Mubarak to leave now. They don't want outsiders to make decisions for them. These are basic principles of mediation. People get a voice, and they make their own decisions. My hope is that somehow Mubarak will listen to his people and be able to leave with a sense of dignity, showing them that he can lead them through this crisis.