SassyBlonde

As I type this entry, the 44th president takes his oath mere miles from my cozy house on a plaza filled to the brim with spectators famous and everyman, all shining with hope from every face. This is a day a long time coming, not just because this man is African American, but because he is the embodiment of hope on so many levels that I have longed for, for longer than I can remember.

I remember four years ago being resigned to the direction of this immediately past presidential term. The man coming into office was the picture of my resignation, because my choices had failed me, the options available had fallen so far short of what I wanted, what we needed. He was a placeholder, a worst-case scenario bid. I remember saying to David that I was so, so very tired of being ashamed of our leaders, indifferent about the choices I had to fill those spots, and of feeling apologetic every time I had to out myself as an American when I left this country. I remember pounding my fist on our kitchen table and ask why, why we could not find one man or woman who was willing to stand up and speak truth to power, to ignore politics and do what was right for the people of this country as a whole, and who I could believe in, and hope for, and be proud of as the leader of our country.

As I listen to Barack Obama's first words as our newest president, I finally feel the blossom of hope, of relief, and of pride. Even now, he speaks out and says what needs saying. He indicts the mistakes of the past administration, he elucidates the tasks we have before us, he finds the mot juste and places it with care, creating the ironclad and brilliant turn of phrase that we will remember for years to come. I realize that he won't be able to change things overnight, and I know he probably won't be able to fix everything, or maybe most things, but at least I know that he has the characteristics to do it if anyone can.

For the first time in years of living politics as local news, I feel peaceful, and that's saying something.