Tomorrow, millions (maybe more) will gather across the globe to watch the inagauration of a new president.  Obama certainly does know how to draw a crowd, doesn’t he?  Some embrace this change, others are leary of it.  Some can’t wait for the next four years to start while others pray that it passes fast.  No matter what the political beliefs are, people are paying attention to this administration.  Meanwhile, in the background, another man quietly steps off the platform and into the shadows.  His administration has run its course.

I have spent a little time over the past year reading about past leaders and historic wars.  I have listened to debates about what our Presidents should and should not do.  I have heard horror stories of what war does to an individual, as well as families, and I have seen the effects of a vicious regime that goes unchallenged.  Each day the sun rises, the President of our nation must make decisions that will have deep and grave consequences.  Saving lives on one hand may require extinguishing them in another.  And no matter what decision is made, it will be questioned, dissected, weighed in front of millions, and ultimately, become a part of the “legacy” that follows this person throughout our nation’s history.  No budget is small enough. No contribution is big enough. No war is brief enough. No defense is long enough.  Decisions that must be made in an instant are weighed for a century.

I saw a news article that showed pictures of the most recent presidents before their term beside their pictures as the left office.  The weight of the office had taken its toll on each and every one of them far deeper than the standard aging cycle.  I’m sure if I made decisions that affected millions, had to define and defend them before the press, and then watched others take my best intentions and make me seem like a monster, I might age a little, too.

To our outgoing President, I would like to say “Thank you” for taking the helm of our nation and for steering us through some rocky times.  I can question and complain about it all I want, but I will never know the weight that you carry for each of those decisions.

To our incoming President, I pray that you may lead with courage, passion, and dignity.  I hope that this path you travel will be kind, though I fear you will walk on unfriendly ground.  I wish that your actions would be met with love, though I know you will receive hate.  I desire that our people would unite in our passion to support our nation, though I know that we will remain divided.  This is the torch that will carry throughout your service.  May you find rest and peace along your journey.