There is a downside to being hearing impaired when it comes to watching TV.

For one thing, any time you watch a TV without captions, you are able to hear the sound but you cannot understand a word anyone is saying.

This isn't usually a problem, but on days like the inauguration of a new president, it kinda sucks.

I can only give you my opinion from the view I had of the TV. I had no idea what people were saying half the time. Only when the camera was directly on the person's face was I able to understand what they said.

I got to the TV set in the library just as Aretha Franklin started to sing. Even though I could not tell what song she was singing, it sounded gorgeous anyway.

Not being able to understand everything almost didn't matter. When I heard Yo-Yo Ma's music playing, it was simply overwhelming. On the screen it showed people from city to city, showing what an impact this day made to all of America. The music summed up every emotion that was in the air. The slow, soothing song acknowledged the sorrow people had, but that there was also so much hope. I honestly don't know the best way to explain exactly how powerful the song was.

Obama finally then got up to become the new, and first black, president of the United States. He's definitely got respect for being willing to take up one of the toughest jobs anyone could ever have.

To be honest, however, even though I was excited and full of new-official-president-day-spirit, I could only get small bits of Obama's speech since I couldn't understand what he was saying when the camera was off him — which was a bit of a party killer.

I really loved the speech he gave when he became the Democratic candidate for president. I hated missing out on most of the speech he made at the inauguration. His speeches are so powerful! They are probably the only times I will ever trust a politician. Probably the only times in my life I ever really felt patriotic. Probably the only times I really believed that things can and will be changed.

Then came a nice poem, and next Rev. Lowery came up to speak, and I only heard mumbles so I am going to assume by the audience's response that he was inspirational and did a fantastic job.

The overall day was full of good music, speeches, and, best of all, overwhelming hope for the future. The joy and excitement just radiated off the screen, and I have no doubt that Obama will be an honest, hard-working leader who will inspire the new generation of Americans to greater heights.