I know Michelle Obama took a lot of heat for saying that for the first time in her adult life, she's proud to be an American, but I'm going to stand up there with her and say I feel the same way. Not that I'm not happy to be American, or that I don't have faith in what America can be, but for the last eight years, which comprise my entire adult life, our country has been going in a direction that I have not been proud of. And now I believe that we as a country, including our leadership, are going to try our best to do the best that we can. And I believe that the international community sees it that way as well.
When I watched that concert and Pete Seeger leading the crowd in singing This Land Is Your Land, for the first time that I can remember I felt truly patriotic. I felt that this country is a good, well-meaning place that will strive to be a positive force in the world. I felt that there is nowhere I would rather be and no country that I would rather be a part of. I haven't felt that way in a very long time.
I leave you with this:
Obama, welcome to the presidency. We are so glad you're here.
Amen to that!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you 100%.
ReplyDeleteThis pretty much made me cry. My sentiments exactly.
ReplyDeleteThats really beautiful, what you wrote. I wish i could say the same thing :)
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I'm glad he's here too. Which reminds me, I forgot to record last night's Daily Show. I hope I won't forget tonight. Historical events everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing time. Big day!
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna just ignore my personal life for today and celebrate our lives as a collective people. Today is a day full of hope and the start of a journey that could amount to something really remarkable.
ReplyDeleteWow. I would have assumed the Rick Warren thing would have put a damper on everyone's enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteI am excited too, and wish that I could stay home to watch the coverage instead of being at work all day. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, we can't wait to find out what your news is! At least, I assume other people are as anxious as I am! :)
Today is SO exciting!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt just warms my heart to see patriotism over a GOOD and hope-filled event, not something like 9/11, where it is more motivated by fear and uncertainty.
ReplyDeleteMakes me thrilled to be alive right now.
i'm very excited for today!
ReplyDeleteI ♥ Obama!
Being older than Michelle Obama, but NOT older than Cindy McCain, muwahahaha... I have no problem admitting there have been many times in my adult life that I have been ashamed of being an American and equally, many times that I have been proud of being an American. I am PROUD today and I think that the entire country should put party loyalty aside, stand up and be proud today for many reasons, one of which is being able to simply witness such an historical event in our lifetime. I believe THAT is exactly what Michelle Obama was conveying to us!
ReplyDeleteI loved your post- it really resonated with me. Thank you! I am so excited - Today classes started (at my college) and already 2 of my 3 profs have canceled class so that we can watch the inauguration... there is a huge celebration on campus/viewing of the inauguration. I'm so excited!
ReplyDeleteCheers!!
I am so excited to watch the ceremonies- I can't believe you get to witness it in person!
ReplyDeleteWhat a FINE day!
ReplyDeleteWheee!
Lovely post. Couldn't have said it better myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little older than you (my first Presidential vote was cast for Clinton's second term) but I can honestly say that this is the first time in my adult life that my heart has practically exploded with pride in my country. :)
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful day. Being in this city, and watching it on t.v. made me even more in awe of how everyone was moved enough to crowd the streets of d.c. to just get a glimpse of history being made, and knowing they had a PART in that. The world is full of hope again, and the American people are invigorated to do well, and leave things better than they found them. We are the change. We are so thankful for Obama.
ReplyDeleteOne of our UK colleagues is here in our Philly office today and she is so excited just to be in the USA while this is going on.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that today is finally here!!!!
I am so excited and proud today. The thing that affects me the most about them is how committed they are as a family and how cute they are around one another. Makes me misty.
ReplyDelete"We are so glad you're here."
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes we are.
True dat, Du Wax Loolu.
ReplyDeleteHere's a resounding I AGREE- straight from Texas! Listen I voted for Bush this last time, I liked him ... and then I think he screwed up.
ReplyDeleteThis time around I voted for Obama and I was so moved today. I sat in my cube watching cnn.com and cried like a baby. I am so delighted, proud, excited and hopeful.
You are SO lucky to the in the city and I did think of you today.
Karyn
Amen! I cried watching the swearing-in and speechification - happy tears, of course.
ReplyDeletei just finished watching a documentary on him. seriously, he is so inspiring. soooo smart, so ambitious, so grounded. michelle is one lucky woman!! the family photo in the middle is precious!
ReplyDeletewhen i was standing on the mall today (!!) listening to obama's speech, all i could think was how amazing it is that this man is now our president. someone smart, inspiring, LITERATE... we're lucky to have him.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister. I still can't believe we have a president I actually believe in!!
ReplyDeleteWatching the inauguration yesterday was definitely the first time in my adult life that I felt proud to be American.
ReplyDeleteAnd I may have cried.
Just a little.