Rare snowfall... and the inauguration

I, the Lord, send the snows upon the earth.
(D&C 117:1)

Soon, this . . . ruination will be blanketed white. You can smell it—can you smell it? . . . Softness, compliance, forgiveness, grace.
(Tony Kushner, Angels in America)

It's snowing—a rare occurrence for this part of North Carolina. In the four-plus years I've lived here, this is only the second snowfall I've seen. It's been falling lightly but steadily since early this morning: we're up to 2 or 3 inches now, I'd guess.

The snow's put me in a very happy mood. It uplifts my spirits in a way I'm not sure how to explain.

************

Have mercy, O Lord,
upon the rulers of our land.
Remember all people—
the poor, the needy,
and afflicted ones of the earth.
(D&C 109:54-55)

Hugo picked me up after class, and as we drove home, Obama was taking the presidential oath of office on NPR. Unexpectedly, I found myself getting a little teary.

I have no illusions that things are going to magically get better now. But the inauguration gives me a feeling of hope for the country I'd kind of forgotten what it's like to feel. So much about the past eight years has been depressing and infuriating. I remember the night Bush gave his speech before Congress announcing his intention to invade Afghanistan, and Congress unanimously rolling belly-up so Democrats could show the country they were good cheering flag-waving patriots. Afterward I left the house and walked up to the Salt Lake Cemetery, a few blocks away, and stood in the front of the big crucifix in the Catholic cemetery to rage quietly at Jesus in the dark.

Not that I can be sure things would have been different if we'd had a different president. The point is: For the past eight years I've felt like the country's been trapped under bad government, and now we finally have a chance for something better. It's a good feeling. God give our new rulers wisdom!