Is it just me, or did you hear it too? The silence. The awe of billions as they watched America's newest president take his oath at the Capital Building.
Everywhere people fell silent, hunching forward in anticipation of The Change promised to come with Barack Obama's inauguration. Restaurants brimming with lunchtime patrons went quiet. Phones sat unanswered as office workers crowded around televisions or computers transmitting the historic event. Deserted four-square balls rolled through abandoned playgrounds as students huddled together in auditoriums to watch the momentous happening. The knitting needles of the elderly stopped clacking and chainsaws of lumber workers seized to growl as all ears were pricked to listen. Cash registers took a break from transactions as attention was drawn elsewhere. Gas pumps sat idle as people leaned through open doors of their cars to hear each word over NPR. College campuses held no lectures, as one of the biggest lessons of our lives was being broadcast.
Americans with tears in our eyes and hope swelling within our hearts, we watched in united silence. Smiles broke across chapped lips and pride surged through our crippled egos as his hand graced the velvet top of the Lincoln bible. We held our breath, all of us, the entire world, during those 35 words.
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I awoke at dawn here in NZ to watch, and as the sun came up it felt like it was the beginning of time, a new time, a time for which I am eager and happy.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing the hear people speak of "The President", whether in criticism or complement, and know they are speaking of him now. He's our President. It's wild.
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