kayray.org

Yesterday was Inauguration Day, hooray! We were up in time to watch streaming coverage of the ceremony on cnn.com. What can I say that hasn’t already been said a million times? I had my hankie handy and I needed it. For the first time in a frighteningly long time we have a president who seems intelligent, capable, and dignified. The ceremony was quite moving, and I thought that Mr. Obama’s speech was beautiful — well-written, clear, non-embellished, powerful, serious yet hopeful. If you haven’t yet, I suggest you go read it: Here’s the transcript on cnn.com.

Some of my favorite bits:

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
*******
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
*******
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers.
*******
…we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
*******
And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
*******
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

And by the way, the first family is so lovely! There are a few slideshows of Mr. and Mrs. Obama and the girls on huffingtonpost.com. I stole this photo from them:

Good luck and best wishes to you and your family, President Obama!