Four years can sure seem like a long time. On your first day of high school, did graduation seem to be a long, long way away? How about the Olympic athletes who spend four tedious years sweating, training and dedicating their lives to prepare for just a few make-or-break moments of competition? And the president of the United States serves a four-year term in office before facing re-election or retirement. Ever notice the difference in a president’s hair color from year one to year four? I’m sure it seems like much more than four years to him.
But time is relative. As a father of four young boys, one of my favorite sayings is, “The days are long, but the years are short.” I wish I could remember who said it first or even who said it to me, but my days are pretty long right now and so filled with commitments to family, faith and work. But when it comes to our kids, looking back four years seems like the blink of an eye, and looking ahead four years seems like a giant mountain to climb — at least for me, anyway.
That’s why I felt so privileged recently to be a part of something that happens only every four years, just like clockwork: Our state marked the beginning of Gov. Bill Haslam’s second term in office. Yes, every four years there is an election. The governor recognized that finite window of time when, during his inaugural address, he said, “Four years from now, someone else will be standing here, and I will be cheering them on.” And, yes, this particular inaugural was neither the first nor the last our great state will see. But I thought I would share with you just a glimpse of the special occasion it was.
Bowing to the tradition of strong representative government, the inaugural ceremony is actually a joint session of the legislature. The state constitution calls for the legislature to convene on the second Monday of January, so the governor’s inaugural takes place at the end of that first week of the legislative session. This year, the weather was gracious and blessed all in attendance with mild temperatures and one the clearest, most beautiful blue skies I’ve ever seen. The contrast of the Capitol’s limestone perched high on the hill against the sky’s color was awe-inspiring.
As he did four years ago, Gov. Haslam chose to begin the day with a prayer service at the historic Ryman Auditorium. On a day highlighting his own accomplishment of being elected to the state’s highest office — an achievement worthy of great respect and praise — I found it so refreshing that a politician would intentionally choose to move attention away from himself. The governor did not speak at this event, diverting attention instead to the scripture, prayers, hymns and homily dedicated to asking for God’s guidance in the years to come. As I left the service, I spoke with many, many state senators and representatives, and the common feeling amongst them was great humility and thankfulness that we could begin the day in this manner.
Of course, the main event in Nashville that day was the ceremony itself on the Legislative Plaza in the shadow of the Capitol building. The familiar three-star symbol of Tennessee stood as a simple adornment for the stage on which every member of Tennessee’s legislature sat. The day’s theme read “Together for Tennessee.” The combined Air and Army National Guard band expertly played an array of patriotic and Tennessee-themed songs as the crowd arrived and waited for the event to begin. After Lt. Gov. and Speaker of the Senate Ron Ramsey gaveled the session to order, we pledged allegiance to the flag, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung.
First, Gov. Haslam swore in the members of his cabinet, the leaders who oversee all of the departments of state government. Then, Supreme Court Justice Connie Clark extended a copy of the Bible on which Gov. Haslam placed his hand and swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of our great state. At that moment, he began his second term as governor and immediately assumed all the responsibilities that his office entails. There were smiles all around when the cannon that had been placed on the east lawn of the Capitol began a thundering 19-gun salute.
After all the pomp and circumstance of the actual ceremony faded to night, thousands of Tennesseans gathered for the Inaugural Ball. I’m told the attire ranged from blue jeans to black ties and that a grand time was had by all, but I skipped the party. I had basketball games and Cub Scout projects to enjoy with my boys, and the day had already been long.
Four years from now, perhaps you might consider bringing your family to view this moment in history. After all, the years are short.
