Today a giant weight was lifted from my body. It was a stress that I didn’t even know I was carrying.
I enjoyed the pageantry and tradition that ABC News detailed in their news coverage of President Biden’s inauguration, but in the midst of the divisions and challenges our country faces I noticed a certain dignity that returned to the office of the President of the United States.
Almost like dad had come home and everything was going to be okay.
There were powerful musical performances, and the comforting familiarity of traditions and ceremony that date back over 200 years, but it was President Biden’s straightforward message of unity and hope that sparked something in me. A lightness I hadn’t felt in a long time.
The strange thing is when it comes to matters of policy, I will probably disagree with President Biden’s positions more than I will agree with them. My fundamental position stemming from the desire for smaller government will be in direct opposition with his big government approach.
So, why was I feeling such relief when this man stepped onto the stage to take the oath of office?
ABC news said it best. “The focus on unity, empathy, and spiritual renewal spoke to the promise that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris carry with them into office- a promise of restoration and of comfort in political normalcy”.
It was that political normalcy that was comforting me. Words of hope instead of anger.
Optimism instead of fear.
That was the reason I had goosebumps when Joe Biden was standing with arm raised pledging to faithfully execute the office of the President. There was comfort in knowing that decorum and grace were coming back to the Oval Office.
I know I will have to wrestle to reconcile my own ideals that are often in direct opposition with President Biden’s, with how I feel about the man himself.
But as he stood on that podium and asked America to “open our souls instead of hardening our hearts”, I knew at that moment that I would do just that.
I will take a cleansing breath and do my part to participate in the process and advocate for those things that are important to me, and I will do so hopeful that there is a new government culture that is focused on cooperation, optimism, and respect.
Respect for the country, respect for traditions, and respect for the position of the President of the United States.
He is my President, and while I know I won’t always agree with how he does his job; in this moment I know I will give him a chance. As President Biden said, “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward”.
Agreed Mr. President. So let’s start fresh and see what we can do...
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