Inauguration Day

Yesterday, Lexa came home and said that she needed to write a report. She then disappeared for about an hour. When she was finished, she brought the report to me with a grin on her face. First of all, let me tell you that I was shocked because she does not usually do her homework with that much enthusiasm. And second, I must say, I have quite a little patriot on my hands.

Her report was all about inauguration day. She loves America and it's president with the unconditional love of a child. She loves President Obama just as much as she loved President Bush. She inspired me.

I pulled up the text of President Obama's inaugural address and read over it a couple of times. I was surprised to see that Lexa had quoted part of it almost perfectly. I checked her notes and she had only written key words down. She must have really been listening. This was her favorite part of the speech:

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

I felt quite humbled. I am sorry to say that I didn't listen that closely to the speech and that I hadn't given it my full attention like I should have.

Since reading Lexa's report, I have been thinking about our new American President. I hope that Americans will unite and support him no matter who they voted for in the election. He certainly has a lot of difficult decisions to make.

Recently, I unwittingly caused quite a commotion at a social event when I brought up Obama's name. I was surprised at how quickly the mood in the room changed. It was like an electric current had been turned on. (I live in Utah and the majority of voters here are republican.) I have said it before and I'll say it again, human emotions are powerful. And so with all of the emotion of my heart I say, God Bless America. And I personally commit to becoming more aware and involved in the goings on of this great country of ours.





xoMJ