It's a Shiny New Barack Obama Day
For a few laughs at the bar, I said, "I've never felt this way about a man."
But, the reality of this statement is overwhelming to me, and so this is why I lead with it. I have never felt such an overwhelming sense of pride in the leader of our country as I felt today. The warmth in my heart, the tears in my eyes, the never-to-be-forgotten inauguration words in my ears - this truly is something new for me.
I can remember when Bill Clinton took office. I remember watching (or maybe it was just listening) to his speech in the elementary school cafeteria. This memory is incredibly vague, but it's there. Something filed away in the IMPORTANT section of my brain. I was, after all, only in the second grade.
And then, what follows? My life has all too seriously been a succession of Bushes. 'Goodbye!' I furiously wave at the television set in front of me, drink in opposite hand. 'Goodbye,' shouts the bar behind me at the (X!) President's farewell chopper. At least we are all united in THIS.
"This will be one of those historical events where you will always remember where you were."
"This will be one of those HISTORICAL events where you will ALWAYS REMEMBER where you were."
So, where was I?
And, what was I feeling?
(We get to the bar just in time to watch the Obama girls be escorted to their seats and I immediately take out my phone - victim of this technological age - to text every one of my friends "Happy Inauguration Day!" And I have to stop and wonder, has Inauguration Day ever felt this much like Christmas?)
The Village Pourhouse. 11th and 3rd. NYC, NY. (United States, The World, The Universe)
That's where I was. Megan and I left the office at 11am and made it in time to score a couple seats in front of the very large, very fantastic, HDTV. (I could have kissed Obama's freckles from this vantage point.) We ordered our drinks and settled down, snug between two very lovely African American ladies and two very obese, but also very funny couples.
Megan says, "What a fantastic tie!" when Biden walks out. She has not stopped making this comment all day. (Did you see Joe Biden's tie? It was fantastic!)
Oh! And the cheers when Obama walked out those doors!
12:01pm and I can't quite remember if it was Katie Couric (can someone tell me when she cut her hair so short?) or the male announcer who said, "President Bush's term expired at exactly 12:00pm." The relief at it's finally being over! (Megan leans over and says, "We have NO President right now.")
The swearing in and the nerves displayed quite freely across his face, making him all the more endearing. Stealing more and more of my heart. (Which, it is important to note, were not present when he began his speech. His swearing in - for him and his family - a gigantic step towards the next four years of his life. His speech - for his people - bravely displaying the man he will be these next four years of OUR lives.)
His speech. Inspirational is the trite word - but the word nonetheless. I couldn't help but smile and sigh. At the end, I look around me and realize - everyone in the bar is wiping tears away from their eyes.
"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
It may be premature and naive to already see the brightness of our future. What if he can't do it? This country is a mess, after all. He's taking on so much - not just the problems of our nation, but the hopes of his countrymen that HE will be the one to fix them. But, I can't help but feel that this man is our answer. I can't help but look at him and feel the world shift around him - around us.
Change is like an electric charge in the air.
'"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."