Innauguration Day

Tomorrow's the day. Just before noon EST, President Bush and President-elect Obama will walk together to the swearing in ceremony.

I just got into Kew tonight - really cool place with a small "village" kind of feel. I'll take pictures. But, I realized tonight that, although Kew stays open tomorrow till 7pm, watching the innauguration is an important part of being involved in US politics, so I'm ditching the archives just before 5pm and hoping to find a place that has it on.

If anyone actually reads this before tomorrow, let me encourage you to do what you can to watch it. Whether you're on lunch break, at the office, or catching the replay tomorrow evening. Watch it with a thoughtful heart full of caritas (that beautiful latin word that mixes charity and discernment/wisdom). May we each seek to be discerning as we listen and celebrate as a country. America is a powerful force in the world - living here has made me understand that so much more - and, in many ways, a powerful force for equality and the significance of each individual person.

We're called to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. There will be plenty of time over the next 4 years for policy discussions and rightful disagreements, but wouldn't it be great if tomorrow we learned to celebrate with each other - regardless of our views.

Now, there are things in Obama's policies, some of which might come up tomorrow, that I'm not excited about. But at the same time, there is much that I am excited about. For example, I don't foresee the Obama presidency as being one where religious freedom's are taken away. In fact, I believe it's going to be a four years where freedoms are protected and preserved - both religious and non-religious.

I hope...

There is much I hope for in these next few years, just as there was much I hoped for in these last 8. I know they won't all be fulfilled as they all weren't during Bush's presidency. Just as there has been much to rejoice about in Bush's presidency (for example, under his impetus, the US does more now for HIV/AIDS in Africa then ever before), there is much to rejoice in what President-elect Obama has meant for many in America and round the world in bringing a message and dream of hope (the impact on the minority communities in Britain alone is HUGE!), and I hope to rejoice in many things four years from now.

Tomorrow, I'd challenge you to join me in celebrating with the hope many have. For those of you that pray, join me in praying - for President Obama's safety, for wisdom and direction. That it would be a great four years for America - that's my hope and will be my prayer.

I may not have voted for him, but he's about to be my President. I'm going to support when I can, disagree with his policies when I feel I must, and respect him always for these next four years.