What an incredible day to be an American...what a wonderful event that the world just bore witness to, an event that I was not sure I would see in my lifetime. Today, I joined the rest of the country in watching our 44th President, Barack Obama, take the Presidential oath of office. Watching the festivities unfold on my computer at work through CNN Live, I found myself filled with some regret that I wasn't able to be there in person to witness it. I sat at my desk, transfixed by the images that passed along my screen. I felt chills go up my spine as I watched Obama descend the steps toward the stage, and then to my surprise, found myself shedding a couple of tears as I watched our first African-American president walk side by side with our first female Speaker of the US House of Representatives. It was an emotional day for sure, but my strong reaction even took me by surprise - as Obama took the oath, it was almost like a sigh of relief left my body and it felt as if a weighted load was lifted off of my shoulders that I didn't even know existed.
As I sat in my office with the door shut so I could block out the noise of general office chatter and focus upon Obama's first words after being named President, I found that my thoughts kept turning to my infant daughter. To say I sometimes worry about the world she has been born into is an understatement - I do harbor some fears as to what Alexandra's generation will face. Yet seeing Obama stand there with his two young daughters (who looked so cute in their J Crew coats!), I felt that this man - this caring father - is someone who will help guide our country so that Malia, Sasha, Alexandra, and all of the children of the world will have as many resources and opportunities as possible. Watching today's events, I now know what our parents mean when they say that they will always remember what they were doing when they learned that JFK had been shot. Just like 9/11, I will always remember what I was doing and how I felt when I witnessed Obama's inauguration. As I rocked Alexandra in her room tonight, I told her about the great event that occurred today. I wondered aloud what events will occur in the future that will give her reason to pause and remember where she was and what she was doing when it occurred.
I worry for our young President. I cannot think of any leader in our modern times that has faced a nation with such adversity, such angst, and such trepidation. We are in the midst of two wars, a disabling recession, and huge unemployment rates. I believe even the most fervent Obama supporter would concede that one man cannot do it alone, but I have faith that he has already surrounded himself with an elite team who will help guide him as he leads our country into a new era.
I have never felt so proud to be an American. God Bless America and our new President.
2 comments:
I couldn't agree more! He definitely has his work cut out for him but I have this overall sense of calm that he can handle it. I just hope people realize it's not an overnight fix, it will take time and we all must be patient. I experienced the same chills and I also tried to share the experience with Colin, of which he could have cared less. It was an amazing day for sure!
Sara, I live in Richmond which is a little over an hour from Richmond. I haven't been able to train for the marathon this week except Monday because of the weather. We have no heat or electricity is out everywhere. We are at my parents house. Oh, Alexandra was one of our names too! We ended up gong with ella because I found out that was my great grandmother's name. Oh, and my only regret with the camera is that I didn't get it sooner too!
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