(Finally) Proud to be an American

The truth is, it's hard to find words for this momentous day. There are just too many words to sift through. I don't say this lightly, but the election of Barack Obama has made me proud to be an American for the first time in many years.

I am not naive, I know President Obama has many great challenges ahead of him, and I also know that the future he promises isn't going to come without a great amount of effort...and luck.

But, reality is what you make it. Mr. Obama has already achieved great things as president, because he has managed to unite so many Americans with hope, and faith. He has ignited a fire that blew out so long ago for so many people. Reminded us how great we, as a nation, once were and how great we can be again.

And, I put my faith in him, and I believe him when he says:

There are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply.

The bigger historical event that took place today, of course, was the inauguration of our nation's first black president. Sworn in with his hand placed on Abraham Lincoln's bible--Abraham Lincoln, whose emancipation proclamation freed the slaves. What an honor it is to witness such triumph.

And so, with this post, my intentions are not to persuade anyone or to solidify my own beliefs. Merely, to mark the day that will forever be remembered, and cherished, in our history.