Monday, January 19, 2009

The big day is almost here...



If any Americans are dropping by here today, I want to wish you all the very best for the historic occasion of your new president’s inauguration.
Wow! What a man.
What an incredible moment in history.
In 2003, I visited Washington DC and I stood on those impressive steps in front of the Lincoln memorial. At the time, workmen were embedding a plaque into the concrete to commemorate the very spot where Martin Luther King stood to deliver his famous “I have a dream” speech.
Then I looked up at the other famous words from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, inscribed in the south wall of the memorial, and I couldn’t help but be moved…
“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
It seems so fitting that Obama stood there this week. I think we all feel the connection all around the world between, Abraham Lincoln, JF Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Barack Obama.
A huge burden rests on this man’s shoulders. I don't suppose he's perfect. I guess he can’t possibly get it all right, but I applaud his social conscience and his earnest intention (and his handsome looks!) and I’m thrilled that he’s filled so many, many of his people with hope. Good luck, America! I’ll be getting up at 3.25 a.m. to watch the inauguration on television. I can't wait till midday tomorrow, because I’ll be on the highway again, going back to Tarzali.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It has been a long journey for improvements on civil rights and equality, and with Obama being sworn in, the civil rights movement have come full circle since the "I have a dream speech". I hope Obama can concentrate on increasing jobs, advancing education, and the decreasing of our dependence on fossil fuels.

Barbara Hannay said...

He certainly indicated his intention to do all of those things.
here's hoping, I guess.

JoyfullyHis said...

Whether anyone likes our new president or not, he's given everyone new hope, which is irreplaceable. He's got a tough row to hoe, as my grandmother always said.
But no pressure, right? At least he has his family to relax with when things get stressful. And I believe the poor man is inheriting a lot of stress. There's nothing like a good tickle fest with your kids (or grandkids!) to make you feel better.

Barbara Hannay said...

And it will work 2 ways. I'm sure he'll want to make his daughters' lives as close to normal as possible.