Joy. Pure joy. With a hint of sadness as my friend Jax is not here. Her mom passed a few weeks ago and then last night her dad had a heart attack. So the very public celebration of the day is a bit tempered for me personally.
Words? Well, for me it is the people who were there. I’ve picked out a few images from the web that speak to me. For me, this is the line from the speech that stood out:
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.
It encapsulates the policy difference between the outgoing administration and President Obama’s (oh that felt good to type out!!)
I felt a moment of localized pride as I saw him escorted around with Speaker of the House Pelosi and Senator Feinstein. Two women from California. As someone twittered earlier, the crowd was filled with color as an endless throng of old white guys were introduced to be seated in the upper dais. That is, until they got to the current group. Then we saw some much better diversity.
There was a moment in this next picture that I thought Obama finally showed a smidge of nerves. He looked like he was trying very hard NOT to make eye contact with anyone as he composed himself. I had the feeling that if he did see someone he was going to break into a fit of nervous giggles 🙂 This was also when I was proud of those two California women!
And please tell me that Cheney in the wheel chair did NOT look scarier than normal?? Do you Mr Potter from It’s A Wonderful Life in that image? Oh yeah. He was, arguably, the most powerful Vice President ever. Often referred to as Darth Cheney due to his scarier than thou demeanor. That he hurt his back lifting moving boxes yesterday? Yeah, gotta say that might have been karmic!
And then finally. The oath. Amusingly butchered by Chief Justice Roberts! And we thought Obama should be nervous, it didn’t occur to me that the Cheif Justice would have butterflies too. But of course he did. It was the first time he was doing it too. That’s ok, it probably broke the tension for Obama.
Trees & Flowers & Birds! 
Totally loved watching michelle watching barack take the oath
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I don’t give a crap what she’s wearing, I trust them both. I trust him to be a good man and a good president… something we rarely ever see and what many believe isn’t possible. I trust her to be his anchor. She was strong up there, she guided him.
Excellent post, I loved your picture choices.
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you captured it so perfectly.
I am watching the balls now…the Obamas are dancing together and you can see how much they love each other.
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Excellent post, TP and great pics.
My favorite line in the speech was “…we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
Most beautiful line ever.
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Congratulations to you. I know how long you have waited for this day and I’m sure a few happy tears were leaked on the day. Personally I see President Obama not just as the leader of the american people, but as a world leader. A man who can (hopefully – and with some help) lead the world into a better place. And what a beautiful family he has to share the ride with him.
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Well Done!
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I saw all those moments you captured, and I loved them as well. The line also stood out, and it really was striking in terms of the philosophical differences. We don’t have to give up our values for the sake of expediency.
The first family is beautiful inside and out.
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You captured it all so well.
It was a wonderful day. 🙂
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I’m still watching the coverage today. I went out last night and missed the obsessive coverage of the balls. I did of course tape it. 😉
They seems like a nice, happy couple. And that makes me happy. I think we’re going to have a very interesting 4 years.
I can’t wait.
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And I totally agree with you about Roberts probably being just as nervous as anyone else. Can you imagine what that feeling must have been like?
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