The enthusiasm is literally palpable.

But wait a second . . . currently as a country, we are engaged in two wars, our economy is in terrible crisis, and people are losing their homes and jobs in record numbers. I don’t care who you are – you are experiencing it. You feel it. To say times are tough is an understatement at best.

And yet, despite all the bleak news – our country is preparing for a celebration of immense proportions. Why? Certainly, as brilliant a leader and man as I believe our president-elect to be – even he could not be so powerful as to erase our grim current reality. Rather, it is what he represents: hope.

In our most difficult times – we turn to hope; and it is this hope that will ignite future change.

Hope is the greatest motivator of all. And sometimes - it’s all we have. Yet most of the time, it’s all we need. Hope is the seed of all action. It is that glimmer of light – however far in the distance – that guides us forward and out of the dark.

Hope is the expectation that tomorrow will be different and better than today, and within our renewed faith, is our commitment towards making it so.

The air is frigid outside and all bridges into DC are closed.  Still, most anyone who manages to get inside the city, will never even get within a mile of the Capitol steps.  Yet the crowds assemble. 

And soon - I too, will be among them.

Because this Tuesday, I will not just be witness to the swearing in of our 44th president.  I will be witnessing a dream fulfilled, the restoration of faith, and the bright light of HOPE.