Proud to be an American

One of my deep, dark secrets is that whenever that Lee Greenwood anthem "Proud to be an American" plays, I cry. Embarrassing, I know, but true. It's a response that started in childhood and I just can't seem to get control over it. The thing about this is that I've never considered myself much of a patriot. In fact, I have often been embarrassed by America. When I lived in London, my favorite activity was American spotting across long distances, only needing a few items of clothing and raucus physical gestures to identify my fellow countrymen.

Well, today, as I watched the inauguration and listened to the Canadian commentary, I feel patriotic and must declare that I am proud to be an American. I haven't always been sold on Obama's campaign of hope (in the early days of the Dems campaign, I gave money to Hillary) but today I am more than glad that we have this new president who genuinely strives to be inclusive, who acknowledges that hope and prosperity require hard work, who can give (as his daughter said) "a pretty good speech."

So here's to a new era of responsibility, integrity, and motivation. Good riddance, old Georgie.

God bless America. And I mean that with every bit of hope I can muster.