44

waited:now:change:finally:new:hope:courage:peace:joy:fresh:unexpected:truth:character:progress:

breakthrough:inclusive:start:different:excitement:rush:open:community:organized:optimistic:

unprecedented:historic:believable:young:ready:clear:service:dedication:humility:

family:now:euphoric:wise:challenging:more:engaged:level-headed:reasonable:mature:good.

Forty-four words for the forty-fourth president.  No matter what your political ideals, your eye today through the lens turns on history.  Whatever you shoot is whatever your kids will see, ten, fifteen, twenty years from now when the idea of this man at this time in this White House will be considered a matter of course.

As I write, at least forty-four dishes are being washed in my kitchen as all day long friends and family called from as far away as Massachussetts to say they couldn't let this celebration go without being able to say, We were there.  So we threw more rice in the pot, put another can of black beans on the stove and feasted all night as the house filled with the happiness of change, a new day and the hope that in the morning it really will be a brand new world.

What are your forty-four words today?  What's the shot you'd like to contribute to family history.  Leave your links in the comments, then check out the others who participated with Melissa--the brilliant woman who came up with this idea.  I'll be looking for my historic shot as my dear ones brave the National Mall, a few Metro stops away.

Comments

[Toni]

Here is my contribution on this historic day. I cannot keep the tears out of my eyes!!

http://dailyvignette.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/at-a-crossing/

[alice]

Here is mine:

http://peapods.typepad.com/peapods/2009/01/inauguration.html

:)

[Sarah - Ji]

Jen, you're featured in mine! Didn't know you'd be doing the 44 post for Shutter Sisters!

http://www.sarah-ji.com/blog/2009/1/20/44-words-for-a-hopeful-future.html

[Mandi]

And here is mine: http://noapathyallowed.com/2009/01/20/a-new-beginning/

[Lecia]

I've been snapping all morning - the Scolastci handout on my son's desk this morning; the "Obama/Biden" button Cal's preschool teacher was wearing; my television during the swearing-in. I plan to keep snapping; I'll get back with you! (These shots I mentioned are on my flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_day_that_is_dessert/.) Thank you for this lovely, inspiring post!! Happy-tears here in Seattle. xo

[Jamie]

Happy Inauguration Day!
http://umbrellablog.com/politics/mister-president/

[Kate Baumert]

http://happyinthehamptons.blogspot.com/2009/01/today-is-day-when-our-44th-president.html

I honestly don't know if I included 44 words - but this is how I feel about wonderful today :)

[melissa hanson]

What a wonderful post, and a wonderful day.

[Tracey Clark]

thank you jen for such an inspiring post. i think it's finally starting to settle in. i am beyond happy. i am hopeful.
my day begun like this-
http://maypapers.blogspot.com/2009/01/44.html

[Marcie]

Words elude me at the moment. Just an image of hope..and wings to fly on:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=664

[Jennifer]

Forty-six words, but they're his so no editing!
It's a good day in America.
http://inthemeantime.typepad.com/in_the_meantime/2009/01/inauguration-day.html

[Elizabeth Harper]

My words for today couldn't be contained to 44...they spilled out with the hope and promise of the days to come.

Lincoln's ghost plays host in my post for today in, Welcome Home Mr. President.


http://www.giftsofthejourney.com/Elizabeth_Harper-Gifts_of_the_Journey/Blog/Entries/2009/1/20_Welcome_Home.html

[amanda]

What a powerful day! Here's mine...

http://amandachurchill.squarespace.com/blog/2009/1/20/44-on-this-day-in-history.html

[Dawn]

Oh, if I only had the words...my heart swells~

Beautiful post Jen, I hope to visit the rest as well.

Here's my 44
http://thislifeisworthliving.blogspot.com/2009/01/44.html

[Monica]

Here's my shot! I could hardly stand sitting in the dentist office with my daughter as everything was beginning. Thank goodness I got home in time to watch the new President's speech live. Beautiful! Thought of you a few times Jen. Wondered if you'd be braving the crowds. How exciting to live right where all the action was taking place. You lucky girl! I was hoping for a shot of you, tears streaming down your face, as you took it all in. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43665621@N00/3213709748/

[shelli]

sorry...no words or photograph from me today since I'm feeling a little under the weather, but I'm cheering along with all of you today, that's for sure!

[Shalet]

Happy days! Here's mine:

http://peculiarmomma.blogspot.com/2009/01/44-for-forty-four.html

[Rebecca]

I'm a digital scrapbooker, so I had a little different twist on the idea...

http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddgallery/showphoto.php?photo=86358&ppuser=4057

Thanks so much for the inspiration! I've loved looking at everyone's interpretations today.

[laura]

http://pogostickphotography.squarespace.com/journal/2009/1/20/dear-america-this-is-a-big-day.html

my post.....

thanks everyone.

[Jennifer B]

I just LOVE this challenge! Here is mine:

http://hersoutherncharm.blogspot.com/2009/01/44.html

[Chataqua]

Beautiful! I really need to get my pic in for this special day. Thanks for inspiring me everyone!!

[kari]

What a lovely idea! Glad to play along: http://www.persistentcookie.com/blog/hail-to-the-chief.html

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

I love this Jen! Tweeting now! Truly an amazing day.

[cloudscome]

What an amazing way to celebrate this amazing day! Here's mine: http://awrungsponge.blogspot.com/2009/01/inauguration-day.html

[Denese]

http://dlouisianat.blogspot.com/2009/01/yes-we-can-inauguration-day-2008.html

The flag and quotes from Lincoln: Yes we can!

[m. heart]

a northampton mass storefront decked out for the celebration...
http://secretnotebookswildpages.blogspot.com/2009/01/signed-sealed-delivered.html

[kristin]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3212976162/
a new view.

[Bebe]

My contribution:

http://mydailypic.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/the-light-of-a-new-hope/

[bleachusd]

http://flickr.com/photos/bleach226/3213748697/ <-- 44 words today

http://bleach226.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/evolutionofacountry/ <-- Way more than 44 words yesterday

[pikatures]

An older banner but with new snow and newly discovered lamppost details
http://2happy4most.livejournal.com/292890.html

[mamie]

my usual subjects, but that is what makes the change so special

http://flickr.com/photos/16401019@N00/3214004601/

[Mocha]

I spilled out in my 44 words here:

http://www.mochamomma.com/2009/01/20/44/#comments

[mary]

I think it may be a few words over, but here are my feelings for the day of hope:

http://inasoftlight.blogspot.com/2009/01/inauguration-day.html

[Barb at 11:11]

11-11productions.blogspot.com

[Barb at 11:11]

http://11-11productions.com

[m.heart]

one word for the first day of our new administration: "sweet!"
http://secretnotebookswildpages.blogspot.com/2009/01/sweet.html

[Sharon]

It took me a day, but I had a lot of snow pictures to go through. We don't often get snow in NC, so yesterday was a different day in so many ways!

http://kolling-perin.blogspot.com/2009/01/44.html

[G. K. Photography]

I just love reading everyone's words and seeing so many inspiring images.

Here's my contribution:
http://gabriellekaiphotography.com/blog/2009/01/44-words/

A day late, but I was in D.C. yesterday!

[laura]

still basking in the joy of the moments!
http://pogostickphotography.squarespace.com/journal/2009/1/21/extend-a-hand-unclench-a-fist.html

[Wanda]

I took my shot off the TV:

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-photo-44-words.html

Here is the post the day of the inauguration:

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-world-coming.html

[kosenrufu mama]

wonderful ....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3218526222/

[Shanon]

I had to go outside and get a shot of what my world looked like on such a great day....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfinegarden/3214292818/

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[Jane]

This is a great post about history and how we live in times of real change. I love the picture of the boy with the Obama/Biden pin too. Elections and politics are so much different now than they were in our parents' and grandparents' generations, and our kids' generation will live in a different time of history too. We need to make the best of history, accept and grow with the changes, and learn how to have balanced, happy lives in this country. Ps. I love the blog. I think digital scrapbooking is so adorable...and much cheaper than normal scrapbooking.

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