Dear Mr. President,

On January 23, 2009, you became a world leader. I watched your inauguration live on CNN. Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill played John William's "Air". You sat with your family, composed and thoughtful. 

As the noon hour grew near, the music showed no signs of stopping. Strands of Appalachian Spring flowed like ribbons in the air. The mood of the crowd was exhilarated, bouyant.   

You tilted your head in the light-filled breeze. The buzz went out, you must have heard, it's noon! You are the President of the United States! You did not stir.

I've often thought of that moment. For some reason I was granted the ability to see inside your head and your heart. Above all others, your wish was to let the moment pass with the music taking center stage, to remind America of her own greatness.

This was not about you. Appalachian Spring summarized it for those who had the ears to hear. The camera panned to immense crowds on the lawns of the Capitol in Washington D.C. and in Times Square. There were equally huge crowds in gathering places all over the world, rejoicing...

That the hopes and dreams of a powerful nation, some would say the most powerful nation on earth, raised up a leader who would do better, who would help restore us to truth and integrity, to righteousness and glory, and that was what elected you. How well you knew, and know that this is true.

The moment of your inauguration came and went, and it wasn't until quite a few minutes after it that you were officially sworn in. The message you gave was clear, so very clear. You were not leader of the United States, the People are, and the People always will be. For in that quiet act of allowing the music to play with your eyes closed, you passed the torch back to us. And in so doing you pledged to represent US, and our hopes for a good and prosperous peace, one that does not sacrifice either attribute.

I agree, it's going to take all of us to tranform The United States of America into who she really is, a Force for amazing good. I will do all that I can do to keep my end of the bargain, most of all simply by being aligned with light and integrity. I know you will and are doing yours.

Thank you for letting that be your first official act as President. Please know that you have my prayerful support. 

Danyele Read   

See the Video of this amazing moment (happens in the last 3 minutes):

Hear and See the Concert without Commentary: