With new beginnings also come endings...

To start my day off, I watched the inaguration in my advertising class. I was happy the teacher said this was a historic moment and we needed to watch it. I must say, Obama's speech was amazing. He is so eloquent. So moving with his words. You truly believe he stands behind the words he's saying. I must say, in the past few years, I have been embarrassed to be an American. Embarrassed of what our country had done and the way our leader represented us. Today though, I can say that I'm actually proud to be an American. I think there is actual hope for our country to get better. Not quickly, I don't even think in four years Obama will be able to achieve everything he wants. But in eight years I think our country can make real progress from where we are today.

So, with a new beginning for the US... came an ending in my family.

My grandma passed away this morning at 10.30am. I've got to say, this has really shaken me. When my parents divorced, my grandma stepped in for my mom when I was with my dad. She was always there, always sent Christmas cards/birthday cards, always watched the Mariner's games to record whether they won or lost, always knew how to make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It's funny how when someone goes away you remember all the little things that you can't ever get back again. Okay, it's not funny but it's rather sad except I'm trying to not focus on the sad part. I'm completely void right now. I went to the store and realized I was just walking around aimlessly... I didn't really know why I walked where I did or what I even needed to buy. Also, driving while feeling void isn't good, your reactions are a bit slower, probably because you're just out of it.

I'm really sad about it but I realize this is the natural progression of life. She lived to be 82, it wasn't a short life. It's just sad to know that she's gone and I'll never be able to see her again. Also, she was the last living grandparent, so I am now at none. Which is a scary thought knowing my parents generation is the next to go in the progression of getting older. I don't know.

I found it interesting that on a day I was so full of hope for our country, I was also devastated by a passing of a person I loved. You can't have everything can you?