forgive me, but i must share a little bit of my american pride. even though i’m way over here in sweden, i made sure to sit myself down in front of this computer screen i’m typing on right now in order to watch the 57th presidential inauguration in the USA today. fun fact: i learned how to spell “inauguration” correctly today. it’s a tricky, weird word.
anyway. it’s been a good day for the states, in my opinion. i was so excited about the second inauguration of president obama for today! i had a feeling it was going to be powerful & touching ceremony. and sure, enough, as soon as the ceremony started, all of my american-ness welled up in me, made a lump in my throat, and fell down my cheeks in the form of tears. as i watched the whole thing unfold before my eyes on my screen, i was moved & inspired time & time again. from the beautiful, long opening prayer to james taylor’s simple song to the amazingly realistic poem (by a hispanic gay, btw) to kelly clarkson & beyonce’s powerful music to obama’s stirring, uplifting, ground-breaking speech. all of it was amazing.
i just have to share one thing, that directly affects me, that obama said today in his speech. he took the notion of and the belief in equality even farther than it has ever been taken before in a presidential speech on inauguration day:
“It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”
beautiful, huh? and so promising! things are changing. i believe it.
yep. today i am a proud ex-pat – not just because of the above statement, but for everything that being an american living in swedent means to me. yes, i’m feeling a bit homesick. a bit nostalgic. a lot of hope. and so very blessed to call two countries, which i admire, home. but today… today, i devote all of my pride to my home land, the place where i was born. the country which holds my past & my heart. the place where i first learned about diversity, acceptance, carefree spirits, opportunity, and beauty – and what it means to be a well-rounded citizen of, not only the us, but the entire world. today, i dedicate all my thoughts, hopes, dreams, & prayers to the place from where i come, the place that made me who i am. the place that taught me to fly… the united states of america.
and that’s how it ended. whoa. over the top flood of emotions enveloped me, so i grabbed my love, and our german friend, and headed out to a new bar & food place for some dinner & beer to do our own kind of international celebrating. and we did just that.
Fascinating — as I drove home from my walk with Ellie, that very portion of his speech was being aired on CBC radio.
I too was moved as I drove along a Canadian street listening to the president of our closest neighbour..
🙂 cheers for good neighbors!
Yay!!! We are soooo lucky that ol’ Mitts didn’t get “his mitts” on the Whitehouse!
(Could John & Deb Boehner look any more constipated, in the background of that photo? Looks like they’ve actually been eating their sour grapes —> Lol).
omg… we are SO lucky! that would have been horrible!