Shandra Jackson of Arlington will be in Washington, D.C., for the swearing-in of the president.

But it's the train ride to get there she'll likely remember most.

Among her fellow passengers: President-elect Barack Obama.

Jackson, along with 17 other "everyday Americans," was selected by inauguration organizers to ride with Obama on a whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to the nation's capital on Jan. 17.

A few days later, on Jan. 20, President-elect Obama will be President Obama.

Making Jackson's experience even sweeter is that her 11-year-old son, Ryan, will get to come along.

"Whenever I think about it, there's just so much emotion it takes over me," said Jackson, who received a phone call New Year's Day informing her she had been selected.

Her fortunes have changed greatly since 2007, the year the single mom was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. It didn't require surgery but does mean constant monitoring by doctors. The diagnosis sent Jackson into a brief period of depression.

"Some days I didn't feel like getting out of bed," she said. "Then I realized I'm it for my son."

Jackson started making changes in her life and began taking notice of what Obama was doing on the campaign trail.

She said she was drawn to his idealism, in addition to his policies, and started to get involved in Obama's campaign in early 2008.

Her local campaigning – including hosting house parties and registering voters – led to her election as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

It was there she was selected to participate in a roundtable discussion with Michelle Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. The topic: the struggles of single parents in America.

Jackson told her story and what she hoped the future would hold for her son.

She was thrilled to have that chance in August and hopes to speak with Obama briefly on the train.

"I want to take the stories, the issues that we discussed in our house parties, and take that to him," Jackson said.

Until then, she will be getting ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Family and friends have inundated her with calls and e-mails, but she's had time to handle only one thing.

"I did get my dress already," Jackson said. "I didn't want to be ill-prepared."