Posted on January 20, 2009 - by deCadmus

At Last

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have travelled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

– President Barack Obama, January 20, 2009 

I feel as if I’ve been holding my breath since… oh, the first week in November or so. As if I were only dreaming that change — real change, historical change — had *actually* happened. That if I were less than careful, if I misspoke or misstepped or mistyped, then that dream would unravel like so much glittery, gossamer star-stuff. 

Today, finally, it seems solid and real and I feel I can breathe again. And write again. 

Happy New Year. How ya been?