History Made

Sara has done a wonderful job of chronicling the significant events that have unfolded during our pregnancy. I feel compelled to add to that with today's events. Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States today. He is the first man of African-American descent to hold our highest elected office. The inauguration drew a crowd estimated to have been between "hundreds of thousands" and "two million". All accounts that I have read and heard have commented on the energy and excitement that filled the crowd and the event. The new President's inaugural address mentioned the challenges we have ahead of us, and called on each person to assume responsibility for being part of the solution. Government can't, and shouldn't, do it for us. That should be music to the ears of those who fear that he will lead a big government build up that some have called "socialism".

But my point is not to argue for or against what our new President stands for. My point here is twofold. First, I want to acknowledge the historical significance of this day. Whether you agree with the President's policies or not, it is hard to argue against the significance of the day that a man with dark skin and a Middle Eastern-sounding name was sworn in as President of the United States. It represents the culmination of a monumental change in our country's acceptance of those different than the majority.

Second, the presence of hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of energized, inspired and motivated people attending this event in person cannot be overlooked. In this age of being able to watch everything that happens in the world in real time on sixteen different channels from a multitude of mobile devices, all those people decided that wasn't enough for them. They had to be there in person, to see this for themselves. When was the last time that happened? Has it ever happened? Don't underestimate the power of inspired, energized people to do great things.

I am proud to be an American today. I have a basic, underlying belief that we have the ability to overcome the issues we are facing. That belief has nothing to do with how large or small a role government will play in this. It has nothing to do with what the President will or won't be able to accomplish. It has everything to do with what can be accomplished by an inspired people.

That is the world I want Little One to come into and experience. I hope that all of us who will play a role in shaping Little One's views and opinions will focus on the positive, hopeful and optimistic things in the world around us. I want to shield them from negativity, cynicism, and despair. Those aren't the qualities God wants us to display. I want Little One to have a solid sense of faith, love and hope, regardless of which political party is in office. They are entering a wonderful world that isn't on the way down, but on its way up. Whether you voted for the man or not, today's events demonstrate that in inspiring, energizing terms.