A New President...

My children and grandchildren will ask me about this day.

They will ask me about this moment.

They will wonder what it was like to witness this moment, survive these times and what we felt during these times.

In the similar ways that I've asked my grandmother and mother about Roosevelt & Kennedy, this is particularly my generations moment in time!

And regardless of political party affiliation, regardless of personal/spiritual beliefs, regardless of hesitations and reservations; today, I AM proud to be an American!

I don't know what the future holds and I can't say I don't have my doubts.

There is so much more to being President than delivering grand speeches, but, one thing I am not questioning is the sincerity of this moment.

This moment is beyond historical in so many ways.

It is a moment like none other any of us will see in our lifetime. (Unless of course, a woman is elected President which I sincerely hope to see in my lifetime!).

It is not just about race and color of skin; it is about the fight that has been fought for literally centuries on end.

African-Americans have now gone from slavery to Presidency--even as a white girl, I can appreciate that! However, that alone is not an automatic ticket to greatness, that being said....

It is about not just racial boundaries being broken, but, old wounds now more allowed to heal.

It is about taking the good with the bad and keeping the faith anyway.

I appreciate the newly minted President's acknowledgement of the true state of the nation.

I appreciate his call on us, Americans, to help him in his successes/failures. Because it is up to us and we are in this together! I've heard that said my entire lifetime, but I've never seen it lived, perhaps, now I will!

The new President is right; we, as a nation, have to respect our differences and work together. There's far too much crap going on right now to further our distances and differences.

I don't know exactly know what kind of change this new President will bring, I'm not yet certain of his real ability to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk.

And a part of me is nervous and tense and just unsure.

But beyond that and asie from that, I do know that there is a hope within me today.

Not just on a national level, but on a more personal one too. I will marry my husband in the era of a new President. I will become a wife during the first one hundred days of Obama's office.

This is such a special, move it or lose it, kind of time; nationally and personally. It's time to get going, and really put our money/time/hearts/efforts where our mouth/plans are. And I hope we all succeed at that task!

It's funny, here I sit stressed about a wedding and abundantly excited for it, and I'm thinking of the tremendous amount of planning that went into this day in our Nation's Capital. And in one hour or so, it was over.

It's amazing how much pomp and circumstance we humans being can drum up. And it is no doubt a speical day. The inauguration of any new President is always a special day.

But, it honestly amazes me how much planning and efforts we like to put into certain days. And then, poof, the hoopla is over. It's done and life goes on.

All I know is that regardless of what happens now, I am so glad have witnessed this Inauguration. I am so glad I was home to witness this event. I am so glad I have the ability to tell my chidlren and grandchildren about this day--at time in our country!

At this percise moment, I'm wondering what the four of them are talking about on the steps of the Capital; the new President and Mrs. Obama and the now former President Bush and Mrs. Bush; sincerely, I wonder what they are saying? What could the possibly be talking about? Is it Presidentally-related, or personal, is it good wishes or "see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!" sentiments? Is it "thank God, I'm out of here, good luck, buddy!". Or is it a sense of sadness? Or perhaps, nit's one of that at all; maybe they're just cracking jokes, making small talk about how darn cold it is today. I don't know.

I do know I am proud to be an American today. Despite our crap, our poverty, our grave injustices and steep misfortunes, our mistakes and the many ways in which we have faultered. There is hope.

There is a feeling of togetherness, that I believe we can carry on into each of our own personal lives.

Even if someone doesn't like the new President, and didn't vote for him themselves; perhaps the message of hope can translate into their own life. We all need a little hope!

I watched the ew Presidents speech (bye, bye Bush, literally, there goes the helicopter carrying them all off back to Texas) this morning and I was moved by it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Pastor Rick Warren's speech too, I really like him. He did well, and I'm so glad Obama picked him to give it. It is so nice and refreshing and RIGHT...to hear the name of God acknowledged on a national leve. To hear the love and life of Jesus mentioned, without apology and without abandon. To be steadfast in one's faith, enough so that you can literally stand on top of the world--or the nation's capital steps--and shout it!

The part that had the most impact on me is he said "we will extend a hand if you unclench your fist." That is a line I will remember always. It's a personal thing for me, and by no means, have I ever been beaten. But so often in our lives we get caught up with the little unimportant stuff. The stupid, mundane stuff that doesn't really matter in the end. Coming at each other with anger is never a good thing. It drives up automatic defenses and harbors a sense of uneasiness.

So, I'm going to remember to unclench my fist in life--and come at my loved ones from a place of love and kindness. That doesn't mean I can't be firm and stand my ground. But good Lord, if a black man can make his way into the Presidential office in a most peaceful way, after centuries of racial segreation and persecution; than I can most certainly knock off the fighting and the yelling in my own life. Life's too short for all of that anyway!

Back to the newly-inaugerated President; I am so glad I am old enough to remember this. I am so glad I was feeble enough to see this. I am so glad I was old enough to recognize its significance. I think it's wonderful for all the children of the nation to see this, but I wonder if they'll remember it, if they understand it.

Even if President Obama messes up royally in his new position, no one can deny the history and the hope that is being made today!

And Mrs. Obama, she looked so very proud standing next to her husband. And despite my feelings about any given President, including the newest one tdoay, I've always greatly admired First Lady's. I can't imagine. Although I think it would be fun and one heck of a privilage. Although I would probably love living in, decorting and throwing parties in the White House; I can't say I'd want to share my husband with the world--literally. And talk about waiting in line to see and talk to your husband? She really has to now. Can you imagine? But what a privilage and what an honor. I think Mrs. Obama will be a good First Lady. She seems strong and proud, standing by/behind her man, but with a complete and total identity of her own. And I admire that, it's inspiring! So, on that note, here's to the new First Family! And here's to the new President of the United States of America! God Bless, and truly help, him, and all of us, in this our most definitive and probably one of our most needed, hours! God Bless America!

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the privilage of being born in this country! Like all human beings, it has its flaws,; but I'm so grateful for this country, for this time and for this life! Please continue to bless it all!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)