Exasperated by the Inauguration?

My wife will probably change the password to ban me from posting here after she reads this...but...I have read on blogs and heard office talk and glanced at Facebook statuses and even engaged in conversation with Roo regarding the election and inauguration of Obama. I too watched in awe at the turnout and respectfully applauded the passion and patriotism displayed by so many that wanted to witness history. But I haven't understood all of the criticisms.

The scene of the mall flooded with waving American flags was breathtaking...and inspiring...and also overwhelming to consider not only how much money was spent on the inauguration ceremony itself, but also by the millions of people that attended, those that held their own after-parties and those viewing parties set up on widescreens and projectors in parks and street corners across the country. Perhaps that money could have been spent better on feeding the homeless or researching disease...but at what point do we draw the line where normalcy is no longer acceptable? Please excuse the comparison and try to follow me. After 9/11, the NFL played a full slate of games the following Sunday. Enthusiastic fans cheered louder than they ever have because it felt good. Life, if only for four fifteen-minute quarters, felt normal again because the world's trouble existed only outside the turnstiles and terraces.

America hasn't been feeling well lately, in so many ways. The economy, wars, natural disasters, political scandal, peanut butter recalls. There are many reasons people are losing confidence in the world we live in. Watch your local news tonight. How long into the show before you hear a good story, a happy story? And don't count the weather...which you especially won't if you are down south. Brrr.

As witnessed Tuesday, many people expressed enthusiasm and emotions beyond that as they watched Obama's inauguration. I believe most of the celebration was for the very change that so many voters sought. It goes without saying (which the expression itself makes no sense to me because whenever anyone uses it, they go on to say what didn't need to be said) that many participated in the event wanted to solely be part of the event itself, part of history.

Valid criticisms can be made at the magnitude of the event but is it any different than the millions of fans cheering on their favorite athlete at a game or singer at a concert? Lets not forget this is a very significant moment historically. Had Hillary Clinton defeated Obama in the primaries, I feel she would have easily commanded the November election for many of the same reasons Obama did. How many of the blogs, including ours, might have been devoted to the first female President of the United States? And what would be wrong with that?

I almost don't like that I am writing any of this. As I type I debate hitting that orange publish post button because this isn't so much a snapshot of a day in our married life or a sneak-peak into how my brain and bathroom etiquette have evolved over the past 8 months. This is a defining point of our lives even if over-induced by the media so I suppose to react and respond is not entirely revolutionary.

Nevertheless, I think the message would be missed so I will hack away. The point of all of this is that unmistakenly, hope and faith are placed in God and God alone. There are different views of religion that weigh pre-destination differently and that's the last thing I want to get into. Simply put, Obama is a man of God and I trust he will be guided in leading our country by God and through the prayers of the nation. And I trust that Obama will make the decisions to lead our country through these troubled times or at least make his best efforts to make America feel a little better. And I think that is what all the excitement was about yesterday. I fail to understand criticism of the opportunity for change in our nation. But that's just my take.

Riley and I have different political philosphies and that's ok. We know that God will lead us through whatever life is presented before us. Whatever happens in the world, wherever Obama takes America, we will face it all together. I want to celebrate the last days of Obama's term with the same passion and enthusiasm as we witnessed Tuesday. I want to see what I voted for.

Ultimately, now that its all said and done, I am ready and want to see the change I voted for instead of seeing the first dance highlights...I accept that they go hand-in-hand. Last night's bash was the honeymoon, and it will be short-lived because we are reaching the 2 minute warning. Back to reality. And tomorrow, back to our regular posts.

Editor's note: I appreciate the freedom of speech, one of many freedoms forged so long ago that perhaps we take for granted. I appreciate that I was able to vote for Obama as my president and I appreciate that my wife was able to vote for McCain. We appreciate all of our readers and your comments. I must say that I don't care too much for people that aggressively try to change my opinion or that of others. I hope you can all respect that...or else appreciate my ability to delete disrespectful comments.