I watched a replay today on TV of Pres. Bush's message at the National Cathedral on September 14, 2001 ... and have seen, as we ramp up to his second inaugural, a number of images of the swearing-in at the first one, with the rain on the camera lens and the participants. Not a driving rain, but a persistent one. I thought of the millions of tears shed here and around the world because of September 11 and its aftermath, and how appropriate it was, in retrospect, that President Bush was sworn in during a persistent rain.
I remember the president referring in his first inaugural to the "angel who rides in the whirlwind" and directing the storm.
The idea of a hurricane lamp as a second inaugural gift seems prophetic: a symbol of that which protects the light when it must shine, though winds would foment and seek to blast and extinguish it. May God grant our nation peace in a troubled time, and our president grace to lead us through, against all opposition to the good, and the Light that guides Bush, and the One who watches over America.
How touching, Gretchen. Beautiful imagry -- and I wouldn't be at all surprised that is why Lenox chose to present pairs of hurrican lamps to the President and Vice President. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but have no doubt you are right.
Beautiful words, Gretchen. God bless this president. Guide and protect him as he leads this country and commands the greatest bunch of troops in the world!