I have just returned from the Presidential Inauguration ceremonies on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
This was a once in a lifetime experience! The excitement in the crowd, estimated at more than 2 million, was very obvious. Everyone was friendly, optimistic, patient with the horrible weather conditions (temperature in the mid 20s), and one could sense that there was renewed hope that the country’s multiple problems could be solved with a new sense of commitment and nationalism.Â
I was never so cold in my life, as I have lived in south Florida for the past 20 years and had never in my earlier life in New York ever been outside in cold weather for eight hours, as I was with my son from 6 am to 2 pm, including walking long distances and standing for a long time. I wore thermal underwear, hat, earmuffs, face cover, scarf, sweater, topcoat, double socks, and toe warmers in an attempt to stay warm, and my feet ached horribly, and I was totally wiped out after the event and took a midday three hour nap!  It turned out that the tickets we had for standing, while quite close, were overcome by the fact that trees on the Capitol lawn blocked the Jumbotron image of what was going on, with only a small bottom portion of the images able to be seen, but we heard all the audio of the historic moments, including the music and poetry. Despite the fact that of course we could see the details of the historic event better on cable (and all of it was in fact recorded at home), this was still a worthwhile sacrifice and a moment that was one of the most dramatic events in the history of the United States. I am glad I was witness to this moment of history and will treasure the memory and pictures we took for the rest of my life! 🙂
I think this inauguration was special for several reasons. Obviously, breaking the color barrier and becoming President of the United States is a monumental achievement for Obama and for the collective thinking of this country. But, I find this “new beginning†special for other reasons as well.
Over the last eight years I get a sense that the average American has lost pride in America. The many aspects that made this country so special, for so long, quietly vanished, war, the economy continued to spiral downward, the stock market never rebounded to the heights it reached prior to 9/11, unemployment continued to creep up, and many, including myself, felt that we did not have the leadership in place to correct these problems and get America back on track. Granted, there have been glimpses of American hope, notably the movements and activism that took place trying to prevent Bush from winning a second term in office. However, when this failed, I feel American’s collective consciousness was that of despair and hopelessness. From that point forward America has felt like a much different place for me.
While Obama follows the course that every other American president has of offering catchy slogans defining his presidency I needed more and he gave it to me. I needed to believe that we finally had a man in the white house that understood that no man was larger than the presidency and all that it represented and would be mindful of this fact each and every day he served. I sense this in him. I believe he knows what is at stake.
I needed to believe that diplomacy and discussion would replace the current “culture of war†that has alienated us from most of the world. I believe Obama will mend many riffs over the coming years with his personality and intelligence and begin to rebuild the many strained friendships and alliances that the Bush administration threatened.
I needed to believe that there was hope domestically and that, while no one person has the certainty of how to fix what is broken in this country, that Obama will at least try and implement policies that he believes will succeed. The past administration used perpetual denial and this served no interest but their own. At least now we can all say that we are in a recession (I think the correct term may be depression) and move forward to fix it.
I needed, more than anything, something, some belief, some light in the distance from which to grasp the pending journey at hand, the understanding that this voyage may not be easy (as we enter unchartered waters), and the opportunity to decide to travel this difficult road realizing that the effort will be well worth it for myself, you, the children, and those that come after we have departed this world. Obama has given me this hope. More than anything….we needed hope.
Not since Kennedy have we seen such support for a candidate and so much expectation for a man in his first week of office. I can’t say that I envy the cards he has been dealt. The situation he is walking into is unique and, with uniqueness, comes the inability to look back to gain insights as to what might work. I believe this first year, as is the case with many presidents, will define the Obama legacy. If we begin to move forward, and this positive change can be readily seen by the common man, his presidency may be looked at as one of the greatest ever…considering what he walked into. However, if he struggles, as did Kennedy his first year, will the honeymoon be cut short? Only time will tell.
I’m just glad I have “hope†again………
Ron, I’m so glad you got to bear witness to history. Living in Chicago, and being a theatrical wardrobe dresser, I should have prepared you ahead of time for dressing for the occasion. It sounds like you were about two layers too few. Watching the event from the warmth of my home, I was struck with the sense of hope that the crowd was displaying. It was overwhelming. I’m sure that we have chosen the right man to lead us at this critical moment in our history.