I am never too proud to give credit where credit is due. It's a given that President Obama has speech writers. But I've heard, with the exception of some minor tweaking, his inaugural speech was very much his own. And, it was a beautiful speech. A beautiful speech delivered with touching eloquence. Today, I am thankful to have a President capable of delivering an eloquent speech.
Today, I am thankful to have a President who clearly loves his family. It is obvious his wife and children adore him. Did you see the way they looked at him? You don't get looks like that if you are failing as a husband and father. (Just to prove my point, this is what Ten Year Old said as the Clintons made their way through the Capitol: "She doesn't like him very much does she? You can just tell by how she looks at him." And this kid doesn't even know their story!)
It is evident that our President expects fathers of each and every race to step up and fulfill their responsibilities. I am thankful he spoke of programs that do not work, and replacing them with ones that do. I appreciate that he spoke of every American's responsibility to work toward improving their own situations. A reminder that we should never rely solely on a government for anything.
Today, I am thankful for the millions of well-behaved visitors who crowded together on the National Mall. It was truly a stunning sight. I was so proud of my country as I watched people of every race, age, religion, and political persuasion gathering together. Peacefully. There were moments when it overwhelmed me. Yes me, the cynical, snarky me.
Today, I am thankful for the humility I witnessed. Not only in our President, but also in our First Lady. I mean this sincerely...I appreciated the looks on their faces as they realized what lies ahead far outweighs their celebrity status. It made me wonder. Maybe they aren't completely comfortable with the media and Hollywood fawning over them? And if they are comfortable with the fawning, it certainly didn't show today. I was relieved.
As President and Mrs.Obama each walked the length of that long Capitol hallway, I saw humility. I needed to see that today. Humanity. Real people with confidence to meet challenges, but not the arrogance of believing they are above the magnitude of this day.
I appreciated President Obama acknowledging the graciousness of the Bush family. At that moment, I thought about the fact that since the "transition" began, President Obama has been mostly complimentary of our former president. I can't help but wonder if the daily security briefings have opened his eyes to the formidable tasks that are ahead. Is it possible that, as he has become privy to new information, President Obama understands things about President Bush he never could have before?
Today, I am thankful for hope. And if President Obama ignites hope within those who had no hope before, I believe that is a blessing. I pray our President remembers all that was spoken today. I pray that in the months to come, his intentions remain honorable. He sounded honorable today, and I pray it wasn't just the eloquent speaker talking. Today I saw a man yearning to help his country. I saw a man filled with humble emotion. I pray he has the courage to remain true to the man we saw today.
I follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If I practice those things I profess to believe, I have only one option. I must give President Obama a chance. A chance free from my judgements. I must remember that his understanding of our Heavenly Father differs from mine; therefore, his intentions regarding most issues do not match mine. His intentions are based on his life experiences. And our experiences are vastly different.
The past few years I have cringed as dissenters hurled insults at our former President. Insults attacking his person, rather than how he did his job. I never understood the need for labels such as evil and stupid. I always believed it was greatly lacking class. So, I won't be one of "those people". I will never agree wholly with President Obama, and my voice of dissent will not be silenced. You will never question where I stand on issues. But, I will conduct my disagreements with respect and dignity. (Ok, with the exception of Nancy Pelosi and just a few others...I have to be realistic here. But I will try. I really will try to refrain from being just plain nasty.)
God Bless America!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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14 comments:
So well written. I have to agree with you. I pray that he lives up to the great seat he has been entrusted with. If he continues the way he did today...we can have hope.
This is the same way that I felt about the speech. And, man, it is nice to get a great orator back in the spotlight. (God love him, there are times it is nice to not hear "Strategery" every now and then.)
Wow, great job...so well put. I too agree, that I thought he did a good job today. He seem humbled and I liked your point of maybe him going through the security briefings gave him a greater respect for Bush. It is easy to point fingers and judge until you walk a mile in someone else's shoes.
amen sister!
I am thankful for your honesty :)
I liked the speech too, and I hope he can find a way to make at least a portion of it happen.
I also feel that the Obamas are a close family, and that impresses me. I agree that the President seems to genuinely want to help the country. (And if he sticks to his idea of listening to divergent opinions, really listening, before making his decisions, maybe he will even succeed.)
I wish him well. Who knows? He may turn out to be much better than we thought, given our differing views. But we all need to wish him well. If he fails, we all go backwards.
I totally agree! A lotta people over in this neck of the woods are in doomsday mode and won't come out of their depression about it all but I think like you. Let's give the guy a chance. I like the way he said "this isn't about me" today. he seems pretty humble most of the time.
The only think I am kinda sick of is the media's complete love affair with him. It is really kind of ridiculous considering the contrast to how they treated BUSH. Oh well......here's to hope.
I for one am not really the political person. I tend to be bored by politics but I was moved by his speech. But not only that his whole demeanor, his calmness, his approach to the whole manner. He didn't have arrogance, he showed what appeared to be true humility for the tasks that he was about to undertake. Only time will tell if he can live up to any of his promises. I for one am not too hopeful, but Im willing to give him a chance, heck its not like I really have a choice in the matter. LOL
This is so well said, well written and truly inspirational! Thank you for being a conservative voice of hope.
Very nice remarks. I jotted down a few of my feelings after watching the inauguration too. Caroline said i should check out your blog and I like it. feel free to peak at mine if you wish. www.glorious-revolution.blogspot.com
GREAT THOUGHTS....I could not agree more with you in that yesterday was truly a welcome and pleasant surprise for me. I honestly worried what the day would bring.
I will admit that I do, indeed, feel better. Of course, being the typical cynic that I am, I wondered had John McCain won would he have been honored with such a peaceful transition? Would the individual left wing liberal organizations allowed his inauguration to be so peaceful? Could the the activists have humbled themselves long enough to afford the Republican candidate that same privilege? Or would yesterday have been met with protests, rallies, anger and intolerance? (Remember Prop 8 just a few months ago?). Winning and getting what you want is always a "feel good" day. Which by the way, is not reflective of my feelings for President Obama, personally. I was truly inspired by his humble and gracious demeanor. His beautiful family added nothing but affirmation to that observation, for me.
I'm just saying....although yesterday proved to be a coming together and a hallelujah chorus day in many many ways, not to mention, made me proud to be an American...I wonder did yesterday speak more loudly of the civilized, tolerant behavior of people who typically become enflamed and enraged when told no or did yesterday speak just as loudly to the behavior of people who, although "their" candidate did not take that oath, love and cherish this great country and the democratic process enough that they can demonstrate respect and honor for the man who now stands as their President and leader of the greatest nation in the world? Maybe yesterday was a true lesson in tolerance taught by Republicans. I'm just saying.....
MOM, as Little Jill commented on another post of mine, "it's like you are in my head"...SOOOOOOO weird, this is what I thought all day Wednesday!!! I am going to put our thoughts together, and make that the next post.
Well, if I am going to be in anybody's head....I am glad it is yours! Can't think of a better compliment!
One day....One day...the "Nat and Cat Chat"....is the world ready? :)
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