Living History

What a day! The inauguration of our 44th President is basically over - at least, the ceremony. It was an impressive display of hope and humanity gathering to be part of a moment of living history. All walks of life from all over the world came to participate in this momentous occasion.

I was glued to the TV all morning (classes were cancelled due to the extreme cold temps and an unheated building). I anxiously awaited his speech - the main reason I was glued to the TV today. What would he say? How would he address the concerns of the people? What would the general feeling of his speech be? Would he inspire as he has throughout his entire campaign.

I was in for a partial surprise. His speech was much more sober, much stronger in feeling and showed a different side or a more intense and get down to business side. I was impressed with his strong words and call to action and a theme of take responsibility - as a nation, as a political machine, as an individual. We will not back down to terrorism but we will be fair in our international role, we will extend a hand to an unclenched fist. We need cooperation, not separation.

I wish both him and his administration good luck in attempting to turn the tides of the past 8 years and restore trust in the American people. I'm fairly certain that this is what was felt so many years ago when JFK took office. I remember my Parents talking about it when I was younger but didn't understand it until this very day.