"We carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. "

Hayley,

A few months ago, on November 4, your parents voted for your future. We were tired of feeling like we didn't have a voice, tired of the direction our country was going and tired of feeling like there was no hope. Turns out, the rest of the country was pretty tired, too.

This past Tuesday, January 20, our country's 44th President, Barack Obama, was sworn into office. On a very cold winter morning, over a million people crowded the mall in front of the U.S. Capitol Building to watch as Obama took his oath, becoming the first African American to ever do so. It was a moment I'll truly never forget.

President Obama represents something different to everyone. To me he represents hope. He represents change. He represents character. He represents fathers and husbands. But maybe most of all, he represents my absolute greatest wish for you, Hayley: to live in a world of peace, opportunity, pride and tolerance.

When you are older you'll learn about January 20, 2009 in school. I hope that you'll bring the discussion home with you so your father and I can tell you all about the day our country began to change.

Love,
Mama