I don't know how this is possible, but until yesterday I had never watched or listened to a Presidential Inauguration before. I have never been interested until this one, so I guess that explains it. I listened to NPR in the morning while I got ready to go out, had my DVR set to record everything, and then continued to listen to NPR in the car while I ran errands.
I ended up listening to President Obama's entire speech in my car while sitting in the Old Navy parking lot filing my nails. (I don't think I'll ever forget where I was when this happened.) It felt so momentous to be sitting there listening to the speech as it happened, that I ended up recording this moment on my camera. It's not riveting video, but it feels pertinent to me.
I thought the speech was great, and I got choked up at this part especially.
"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."
I can't imagine why anyone would want to be President of the United States, but I'm glad there are people willing to do the job. I think President Obama's victory has energized the country and comforted the world. I hope he can do the things that need to be done.
I thought the speech was great, and I got choked up at this part especially.
"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."
I can't imagine why anyone would want to be President of the United States, but I'm glad there are people willing to do the job. I think President Obama's victory has energized the country and comforted the world. I hope he can do the things that need to be done.
**Did you hear the speech?
Are you optimistic about the future?**
Are you optimistic about the future?**
28 comments:
i still haven't heard the entire speech- i had dr.'s appts and stuff i was running in between to and from. but the parts i did hear, i loved. this morning, i was all choked up on the elliptical machine as i watched the news coverage. things feel different. i was so impressed that his speech was so grounded- and that he was calling us all to service- i think people respond to that and i was incredibly impressed by the palpable excitement and just good spirit you could feel. i heard that with over 2 million people there yesterday, there was not a single arrest. incredible, indeed.
I agree, I don't know why anyone would want to be the President..it is no easy task. I am comforted too, by the unity of the country. I have hope.
I watched the whole thing online. I thought it was a fabulous speech. It's funny but this morning I was thinking that if you were the President you wouldn't really get any time off so to speak. You are in demand every day. I am so glad it isn't me!
I am definitely optimistic about the future. I think he has a tough job ahead of him, but I think he will do a great job!
i heard the speech...I WAS THERE!!! i almost didn't go, but i'm so glad that i did. it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, once in a million lifetimes, really. so many wonderful memories, including saying the Lord's prayer with 2 million other people, watching parents explain to their children why it was such a special day, hearing the oath being administered right then and there, then being present and standing on the mall as obama gave that powerhouse speech. amazing. people were ecstatic, i was ecstatic.
i too was glued to the tv and radio and i enjoyed his speech. i too hope his energy will carry through tough times and help get things done. i was so glad to watch such a momentous moment unfold. laralee got to go!!!
p.s. can you tell my kids are calling me to make lunch...i too and i too and i too ; )
I'm going to post about this as well! Max and Eva and I watched it together and I was overwhelmed. It definitely made me feel optimistic, and just excited to be a part of history in the making.
I posted about this day too. Really an exciting and good day for America!
Yep- I am so glad that my morning worked out to hear it. I thought for sure that I was going to miss it!
We had our own "inaugural dinner" as a family. Nothing fancy but we got out the red, white, and blue, and celebrated living here in America!
"I can't imagine why anyone would want to be President of the United States, but I'm glad there are people willing to do the job."
This is how I feel about Relief Society President!
Reading your post, especially that particular quote, got me all choked up all over again. What a great day for America!
I, too, felt excited about being a part of history in the making...
It feels like a new spring day!
I listen to the swearing in of the President each and every time. I love it - I remember my first time watching was when I was in middle school - Pres. Reagan.
Each of my littles were watching from school - from my SR to my kindergartener - that was awesome.
I totally agree - who would want this job? WOW! I feel cautiously optimistic... he has a long hard road ahead that is for sure.
I loved your quote and that part makes me feel weepy! So awesome!
Crystal's comment made me smile!
How about Bishop? No one ever WANTS to be Bishop right?
Loved everything about yesterday...except that I wasn't there in person.
I love that you sat in the Old Navy parking lot and listened. Awesome.
I heard most of his speech. It was very inspiring! I loved the part about his father. Amazing to think about, isn't it?
I am optimistic about the future. Part of me thinks President Obama is just too good to be true, but that's probably just my trust issues coming out. Ha!
Very optimistic!
i have found myself tearing up over and over even today. the pictures, the stories of those who were there. the speech. the hope i feel...
it was a wonderful day for our country.
I'll be honest - I am not as optimistic about how things are going to play out in the coming years. I'm grouchy about some of his plans. I wrote a ranting post and then deleted it. For now I need to join in with everyone else and have some hope.
The speech was so great. I watched it twice and cried both times. I am hopeful, it seems so daunting, but I am hopeful. I watched his sweet family and felt burdened for them, what a thing, to grow up in the White House?
I was especially touched that President Obama (I love saying that, by the way) walked President Bush out to the helicopter to say goodbye. I thought that was classy. I loved their hug and how they were thanking each other and it seemed so genuine.
Jill, thank you for writing such a nice post. I went to bed last night with a weight on my chest from reading the most criticizing (almost disgraceful) comments on other blogs. I actually had to stop following two people because of their remarks.
So many of the comments above speak for me. I am proud to be an American. I hope and pray our country will be able to turn around. Pointing fingers is unnecessary, it is just time for a change.
I was sitting in the Hilton (between students) by myself watching. I pulled out my camera and videoed the first part then I had to teach....it was hard to transition.
Again, thanks for the great post.
Missy what a great post. I can tell you I was not as happy as you were, but nevertheless, it was an eventful day. I wish him well and feel happy that the country is rallying behind him, too bad they did not show the same respect and admiration for someone who indeed had their best interest at heart. Having said this, it saddens me, because nothing really will change in Irak and Afganistan and or Guantanamo Bay--simply because there is way too much at stake and they will not permit a failure in his watch; however, things might radically change if he plans to grow the government and if he can get away with it. I hope not! There is nothing more debilitating to a human being or a nation than to make human beings dependent upon others'--or Government for their welfare.
I couldn't stop listening either. It was just refreshing to feel some real patriotism again. It's been awhile since the country has felt like this. So, for that reason even if no other, the future does look optimistic.
I just feel so nervous for him because the expectations are so high, maybe higher than one man can ever achieve. I am grateful that his presidency is the clear choice of the people. I am grateful that he is such a figure of hope for our country. I hope he turns out to be the great leader that we all hope he will be.
This was the first inauguration I was really interested in too. Watched the whole thing, felt moved by his speech, and had to chuckle a bit at the benediction.
i will forever regret not being there when i could have with a little more effort, but such is life
i reread his speech tonight on the new white house website, i have gone to it every day since his first day
today in a class party meeting someone said, "we should do something nice for the valentines party and do something for someone else. President Obama encouraged us to do so and make a change"
I thought it was kind of funny that for her it took this week to decide that, but also thought he would be proud to hear a mom in class want to be better for a valentines party because of him.
Sounds like Claudia and I are on the same page. While I didn't vote for Obama, I do wish him the best and pray for his success. I'm proud to be an American--even if my candidate didn't get elected--and want the best for my country. And it does feel monumental to be a part of history in the making, with the inauguration of the first black president.
The quartet that played "Air and Simple Gifts" was awesome! I watched it on DVR later in the day and if you just listened the song, you should really watch it. Yo-Yo Ma played with such joyful expression--it was a delight to watch.
I'm still shaking my head over the "benediction."
blogger was taking a break when i tried to comment on this and other posts so i will try again
it was quite a day for us. i watched everything and cried on and off all day! it was just so moving. i love that my girls will remember this day when they are older.
It was such a good day and monumental experience for me. I love the last picture . And all pictures with Michelle Obama. She always looks so completely happy and supportive and in love with him. That she just glows in his presence and doesn't try to hide it. I am excited to see what she does as well.
I agree with Amy about being grateful that his presidency is the obvious choice of the people. I am full of hope about the future!
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