20 January 2009
This was a big day at our house; one that had been anticipated since November when we first learned our candidate had won and that finally, a time of hope was on the horizon. We invited a small group of our friends over for brunch and to watch the inauguration on the big screen TV. We all felt as though we were participating; it gave us a sense of "being there". We rose when the crowd rose; we put our hands over our hearts for the pledge of allegiance; we cheered and applauded along with the crowd. This was not planned - each person was acting spontaneously. It was definitely a day to remember, a page of future histories, and a time of new hope.
We heard on the news that groups all over the world were gathering to watch the inauguration of our 44th president. Positive comments were coming in from many countries and it seemed we were once again regaining the respect that we had been constantly loosing for the past eight years.
The American flag has not graced the top of our flag pole for many, many years because we had no real pride in raising the flag - to proclaim what? After the ceremonies were finished in Washington, we went into our backyard and very proudly raised the American flag while all our guest stood on the deck and watched and applauded. It was an emotional and stirring moment. Once more we CAN be proud of being Americans.