The Celebration

The entire inaugural day was filled with momentous and memorable events. The posture of hope and celebration continued throughout the rest of the afternoon into the evening that were littered with parties and balls that went into the wee hours of the morning.

After the inauguration, President and first lady Obama, saw President and Mrs. Bush off. After returning to the White House, President Obama signed his first papers as President, one of which was for the establishment of his cabinet.

President and Vice President, along with their wives, and children, began their ride to the White House down Pennsylvania and Main avenues, where they would be seated for a parade in their honor. During the slow drive, with adoring citizens flanking the streets and standing on the roofs of office buildings, the President and first lady got out of the limo, twice, walking for a bit, waving to the citizens. The Vice President, his wife and family followed suit. The parade in their honor had 13,000 participants.

There were said to be 10 balls that the President would be attending. The first ball, however, was the neighborhood ball. Never done before, it was free and open to the public. It was filled with everyday citizens, and celebrities alike. Everyone was treated to a concert of various artists, and the opportunity to witness the first dance of President and Mrs. Obama, as well as Vice President and Mrs. Biden. The President and Mrs. Obama danced to the Etta James classic, “At Last”, sung by Beyonce.

The party was not lost for the youngest Obama’s. Malia and Sasha were treated to a scavenger hunt within the White House. Weren’t they surprised when they opened the door to find one of their favorite musical groups: The Jonas Brothers. Every pre-teen’s dream.

After The Party

All the dancing is over. The gowns and the tux are put away, and now begins the marriage between a President and his nation. As hopes and expectations are high for the 44th President, the truth of the matter is, it will take time for any plans that he has to be fully implemented and to actually see any results. At least a term, if not more.

President Obama is inheriting two wars (Iraq, Afghanistan), an economic crisis in proportions to that in the times of FDR. A housing crisis that continues to escalate. An unemployment problem that has seen 12 million jobs lost in the last year alone. And a host of other problems including, healthcare, immigration, and social security.

It is evident that as the leader of the richest, free nation in the world, President Obama has his plate full. Can he handle it? The general consensus is that he can. Despite the fact that many nay-sayers believe he is still too inexperienced, and will ultimately fail. However, President Obama has surrounded himself with an administration that are well equipped with the experience that is needed to run this nation, and restore it to its former glory, while under President Obama's leadership. We must remind ourselves, however, as the President stated, it is going to take everyone, every citizen to do their part. The American people must work with government to make it happen.


Patience

As much hope and expectations that exist for the 44th President, people are reminded that it is going to take time for things to change. We did not get into the state we are in overnight, and it’s not going to be changed overnight. The President is just one man, that answers to the people, and has a congress to contend with.

Patience is a hard thing to embrace when you have been waiting and suffering for a long time. Yet, it’s going to take a bit more patience before the United States, and the world as a whole, sees whether or not, President Obama can make good on his campaign promises. He himself said that it will take time. But that, together, we can and will get there. That together, yes we can.

It certainly is a new day.