Today I just want to say GO YOU! to America.
Whatever your political leanings, whichever lever you pulled back in November, I hope everyone in this country is united today in feeling a genuine sense of pride in ourselves as a nation. Honestly, while I did think I would someday see this come to pass–an African American being sworn in as President of the United States–I thought it would more than likely be in my later years. And I’m thrilled to have been wrong. I’m also incredibly proud that we, as a nation, have come so far in my own lifetime.
I live only an hour outside of Washington D.C. and would have truly loved to attend the inaugration. I heard the estimates about what it’s going to be like, however, and chickened out. My two older daughters, though, are already there, equipped with extra socks, coats, comfortable shoes and tons of patience.
They also carry with them a genuine sense of hope, excitement and enthusiasm for the future–the future that they will soon be inheriting. They’re energized and bright-eyed, full of big dreams and the burning drive to make a difference, to help, to make their mark on this world.
What a wonderful generation of young people. As full of hope as I am for all of us, given how desperately we all need something good to start happening, I am even more excited for them, that their hearts and minds have been engaged in this big, messy, exciting stew we call the American political system.
I know we’re all of varied backgrounds, ages, leanings, but today we’re all Americans. I’d like to celebrate by sharing a little bit about the moments that made us realize the power and privelege we have as American voters–when did you start exercising your right to vote? What speech did you hear that first made you realize just how blessed you were to have a say in who would take our country in new and exciting directions? In other words–what political figure made your heart fill with patriotic fervor?
For me? Ronald Reagan. I was 18 and a completely passionate Reaganite. I loved listening to that man speak, and honestly, being able to attend an event and hear him in person was an absolute thrill of my young life.
UPDATE:
Just got this pic of my cold, brave kids!!
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Today is a very proud day. I was in D.C. over the weekend on business, left on Sunday, and though I wasn’t downtown where all excitement was, everywhere you could see the hope and optimism on people’s faces. Many people in my hotel were there for Sunday’s events. It was an incredible feeling knowing that we were making history. So many people of all different backgrounds coming together and willing to make a change. It was very inspiring, let me tell you. I am VERY proud to be an American today
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When I turned 18 in 1974, Richard M. Nixon was president and of course the Watergate scandal was in full force and Nixon became the only US president to resign. Gerald Ford became president and later pardoned Nixon. I believed then and still believe today that pardoning Nixon was the right thing to do. I remember talking to my step-dad about Nixon, who was one of his classmates in law school. He didn’t really comment so much about Watergate, only about the man that he knew then and called a friend.
It was a sad time for our country in a lot of ways. But I was proud to be an American then and I am proud to be an American now. Especially on that horrible day back in September 2001. And on January 15th watching the newstory unfold about the plane landing in the Hudson River and 155 lives being saved. There is something inately wonderful about being an American. We are a strong, proud and resilient people. I told my husband, “You can’t keep an American down.”
Today history will be made and I am prouder than ever to say, I am an American.
Cher
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I remember going into the voting booth with my mom from a very young age. I’m pretty sure she even let me vote for her a few times. My family has always been very passionate about politics(even when we differ on sides, which is often) and the right to vote. I registered to vote the day I turned 18, even though there were no big elections that year. I drove home to be able to vote in my first presidental election(I was in college in 92). We were able to miss classes to vote and I wanted to make sure my vote was in. I’ve voted in every election since then, and even when the election doesn’t go my way, I’m still proud to be an American. I believe if you don’t exercise your right to vote, you should keep your mouth shut if you don’t like the outcome.
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My mom has been an elections inspector for as long as I can remember. There was never any question as to whether we would register when we were old enough, just when we would do it. Party affiliation was our choice, not theirs. I have never missed voting in any election, no matter how small.
My daughter is the same way. Even at 23, she had no problem telling her friends that if they didn’t register or vote than they had no right to complain if they didn’t like how things were run. At an early age she asked us, quite seriously, if we (including her) were Rebuplicans or Democrats, much like someone would ask if you were Catholic or Jewish. Cracked us up. She thought that it was just an inherent part of our life.
I will find the next four years interesting because of the fact that our new president is so young (younger than I am actually!). I love that there will be little kids in the White House again. It will be fun to watch what happens. And to see the family out and about. Since so much of what they do sets patterns for the rest of the nation, I think we will see more parents involved in their kids lives- not as sports parents, but as volunteering with the PTA or just out having fun. These kids aren’t over scheduled and they have (well, had) plenty of family time. Let’s hope that that continues.
I love to see that Obama waits for his wife, holds the door for her, holds her hand and is genuinely happy to have her at his side. They are so cute together, yet united. And they flirt with each other. (Unlike Bill and Hilary, who always looked like they were forced to be together. Their’s always seemed more of a political alliance than a happy marriage.)
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I registered to vote before I was 18…you could if you were 18 on election day.
This is the first election I got REALLY excited. Probably because so much was at stake…..my boys got to ‘vote’ too….they loved it.
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This was also the first time I followed all of the primaries and everything leading up to the election..
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When I turned 18 I rode my bike to vote for the first time. I had a car, but I wanted to draw it out into something long and important. I was so excited!
Here’s my favorite image capturing the amazement of this current moment. The drawing is by Patrick Moburg.
http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/print/2008/11/november-4-2008.jpg
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I registered Republican way back when because there weren’t enough Republicans registered in the county to have a primary and it didn’t seem fair to me that we were basically a one-party system in my neck of the woods. I’ll give you an idea of how long ago that was – my year group was the first to be able to register to vote at 18. I have voted in every election since, except for maybe a few school bond issues when we were away in the Army.
I have always been proud to be an American and have always respected the office of President.
I suppose the first election/inauguration I was really aware of was Nixon/Kennedy. Leslie, I loved Reagan and his speech at the Berlin Wall still makes my toes curl!
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I’m hiding in my nice warm house north of DC, today. I don’t like crowds or the cold so, there was very little chance of me attending.
Good for your kids for going!
It’s been fun watching everyone get excited for our new neighbors. Do you think the secret service would be upset if I stopped by with a ‘Welcome to the neighborhood’ cake?
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Bill Clinton was my *first*! But I’ve never felt so excited about a president before Obama. He’s a dream.
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That’s awesome, Leslie…I am SOOO jealous. I know my six year old is jealous, too…he loves Obama (I think he just loves saying Obama).
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I love the picture! I would have given anything to be there today. Everything was so exciting!! :-))
Cher
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I thought it was a remarkably touching, beautiful day.
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I wish I had been as hopeful as you. Even though, as an eager college student, I support Jesse Jackson in 1984, I deep down never thought an African-American would achieve the presidency in my lifetime. I thought sure I’d see a woman first.
But I’m proud of America, and I’m proud of the shining example that President Barack Obama is for America and the world but especially for the children of the African-American community. Our dreams are now truly limitless.
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What a great blog to honor today’s history making Inauguration. I think you were smart to stay home to watch even though to be in Washington D.C. today would be awesome. Like someone else mentioned I’m not a lover of big crowds. Claustrophobia runs in the family, mine seems to be activated in crowds when I can’t have space around me to move as I choose.
When I was old enough to vote the voting age was 21 (yes, I’m that old!!) :giggler The election I remember getting excited about was for JFK, even though I was not old enough to vote for him. Getting to vote for Obama has sort of made up for not getting to vote for JFK. This is an awesome time to be an American but I have always been proud to be a citizen of the USA. Maybe the fact that my dad and uncles and many friends served in WWII has been somewhat responsible for knowing that despite its faults this is the greatest place in the world to live. In all the time I have been registered to vote I’ve only missed once. There was a single issue to vote on with virtually no publicity, campaign or anything and the day simply passed by with me forgetting there was a vote I should have cast. That was over 40 years ago, so I feel it is a pretty good record.
I got up at a ridiculously early hour to just absorb the excitement and promise of what today brings to all of us.
God Bless America.
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What a wondeful, touching & memorable day, which featured a thoughtful & fierce speech by the President. Let’s hope that it’ll move all of us to be better people & Americans.
My best friend, who is African American & lives in Brooklyn, was there to witness it, & I can hardly wait to hear all the details from her. This is the first inauguration that I’ve watched from beginning to end since JFK’s, whose subsequent assassination broke my spirit. Somehow, I think this President will enable Government & the country to begin functioning again.
Patricia
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John F Kennedy
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I miss my Capitol Hill Apartment – regardless of political affilation, it’s cool they got a “front seat” to a historic moment.
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WOW, WHAT AN INAUGRATION–I WATCHED EARLY TO LATE AND
STOPPED FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN SAW SOME OF THE DANCES
THEY ATTENDED.
WHILE WORKING I WOULD TAKE OFF AND GO VOTE FOR NATIONAL
ELECTIONS AS WELL AS LOCAL, ETC. SINCE BEING HOUSEBOUND I
SEND IN A REQUEST FOR ABSENTEE VOTING FORMS TO MAIL BACK IN.
WHEN I VOTED IN PERSON I TRIED TO VOTE EARLY.
ALICE IN TEXAS
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That day was so amazing. I was proud to be an American for the first time in a long time. The fact that everyone was so happy and nothing bad happened with so many people involved gives me hope for our country and the world.