Change . . . There’s something in the air tonight

I awoke this morning much like any other but there were things going on outside my space that had me stirring earlier than normal. My daughter was having a restless night in the hospital and when I turned on the television to see what was happening with the lead up to the Inauguration.

There was the spectacle of pomp and circumstance as the crowds gathered from all over the country around the Lincoln Memorial and The Mall. It was a moving sea of people and tonight I learned that there were no incidents in Washington during this celebration so that may be one of the first visible signs of ‘Change’ to come about.

There was the gathering of past Presidents and Vice Presidents who have shown the signs of age that has come with the office. They smiled and some seemed to be glad to see each other while others stayed focused on the tasks at hand.

Obama`s girls looked great taking in the moment and bringing back younger children living in the White House. The two First Ladies looked their part in the changing of the torch for our Democracy with smiles and waves as the morning wore on.

The walk down the hallway leading out to the ceremony seemed long, somber, and lonely as Barack Obama made his way to the steps of the U.S. Capitol. It must have been a great sight and change of emotions as he walked through the door seeing the multitude of people from all walks of life stretching across The Mall from the Capitol all the way to the Lincoln Memorial two miles away.

Another ‘change’ coming soon as the last thing I saw on television before I left for work was scene on the other side of The White House as two moving trucks were backed up to each other as one was being loaded with the belongings of President Bush and the new items for Obama`s family were being taken into the building. A quiet scene unfolding unlike the festivities happening less than a mile away as the changing of the guard takes place.

I’m driving to work in the darkness of an early Alaskan morning. The time frame is the same as the ‘left coast’ of America (as viewed from Alaska) as approximately two million people gathered in Washington D.C. for the celebratory change in power of our Presidency. It is another reminder just how far away it seems at times that we are part of the same country but also far removed from some of the realities of the rest of the country.

I missed the speech but have heard parts of it on the radio while working today and it seems it was a ‘get down to business’ tone being set forth and not one just of celebration. That’s a good thing as I thought that with the economy in such dire straights there should not be the millions spent on a few days of partying in Washington D.C. while many parts of the country are hurting so much. I can understand there are ‘perceptions’ to be maintained and the historic nature of this Presidency might be needed by some people after the years of injustice.

One small ‘rant’ that raises the hair on the back of my neck as I heard several times today mentioning the word “African American” when introducing Obama or talking about him. It irks me somewhat when I hear the term used as I nor my friends introduce ourselves as “Caucasian Americans” when we speak with others. Now I grew up in the South during the 50’s & 60’s very much experiencing the civil rights movement with a front row seat in Atlanta, Georgia. We are Americans, and this new President happens to be a black American. It has been a long road for the movement and it is great to see the tragedies from that time period in our Nations history have meaning and purpose with this election.

As Bush departed in the helicopter from the White House for the last time his service to our country and resolve while dealing with various issues will be the debate for years to come. But on this day the departure must have been a mixed set of emotions. One, probably glad to pass the baton to someone else to deal with the many problems facing America today and another wishing to have accomplished more in dealing with problems both domestic and abroad. With a short hop to Andrews AFB for the longer flight back to Texas aboard the familiar blue-and-white presidential aircraft, although it will be called Special Air Mission 28000 instead of Air Force One since Bush no longer is president and on to new beginnings after tiring times these last few years.

A nice walk down Pennsylvania Avenue on a sunny afternoon in winter for the crowds, a late afternoon parade, and 10 lavish ballroom appearances tonight makes for a busy time for the new President.

Change is coming to America . . . we can only hope for better days ahead.

Ice