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The sun shone brightly, January 20, 2009, on the millions who turned out to witness the inauguration of America's 44th President, Barack Obama. The logistics weren't perfect for the record-setting crowd on the Washington, D.C. Mall, but peace and joy reigned. I am proud to live in a country where peace is the word of the day during the massive transfer of power and personnel from one Presidential Administration to the next. While I am not proud of parts of my country's history, and I don't always agree with everything that is said and done in Washington, I would not trade the United States, the rights and freedoms that it offers, or its people, for any alternative on this planet. America is not perfect, but I am proud of the good that it stands for, the good that it can do, and the leadership that it can provide. Above all, I am grateful for the courage that has been shown by the heroes that came before us and the heroes of the future that, for now, are only a silhouette on a distant horizon.

The new President faces challenges of daunting proportions: A sick and withering world economy; war, and un-settled problems in the Middle East; soaring health care costs and millions who are forced to go without health care altogether, to name just a few of America's challenges. For so many people, this President provides hope that these problems will be erased. Barack Obama has swept into Washington like the first day of a New Year. He stands for a brand new page on which the next chapter of America's history will be written. The euphoria and sense of freshness that surrounds this man reminds me of a Spring day during which clean sheets are hung on the clothesline to dry, and snap smartly in gentle breezes.

This man stands for hope and change in America. It is my personal hope that he will be granted the patience of the populace because change will not happen overnight and problems will not evaporate in days, or months, or possibly even years. Whether you agree with him, or disagree with him, voted for him, or voted for the other candidate - if Barack Obama succeeds, America succeeds; if he fails, we all fail. I am willing to give him the benefit of time and patience to get the job done.

This transition of power and the 'clean page' that America has been given reminds me of midnight on New Year's Eve when folks promise to 'do better', to 'change' and 'achieve'. If you want to make and keep a New Year Resolution, you have to be passionate, patient, committed, and realistic

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