While watching the inauguration of President Donald Trump, I was deeply moved nearly to tears. 

I should emphasize these were not tears of joy, but of foregone days regarding the administration of President Barack Obama. I could only watch in disbelief and hearken back to the times when integrity, dignity and class reigned supreme in our government and ruled our land. 

No other president in my lifetime had exuded the class that the Obama presidency has shown during his eight years in office. Although many people disagreed with the policies championed by Obama, one could not argue with the manner in which he led. 

I truly feel in my heart that our country will take a step backward in regards to civility and tolerance under the Trump Administration.

Both friends and foes on the world stage will once again view the United States as an empire bent on political posturing and imposing its will on the world.

In my view, many of the bridges built and alliances forged will be dismantled, and we will be right back where we were eight years ago before Obama took office.

Regardless of race, political or religious affiliation, gender or socioeconomic status, we as citizens living within the borders of the United States during the past eight years have been witnesses to the brilliance of America’s first Black president.

Under Obama, our nation witnessed a great recovery from the brink of an economic disaster that was heaped upon his shoulders as he took office. 

America’s banking system was in shambles and fear of another depression was on the minds of most Americans. Through skillful negotiation, Obama was able to save us from a meltdown and changed the environment of greed that was undeniably prevalent in the banking system. Seeing a broken healthcare system which plagued our nation, Obama created a solution that brought change to a process which systematically denied basic healthcare to a large segment of the population. 

No other president in history faced the opposition and sheer disrespect that Obama endured during his time in office. Throughout most of his two terms, Obama faced opposition with nearly all of the policies he wished to implement.

But through it all, Obama displayed an unwavering sense of strength and class. 

The public was able to see him as a family man with a strong black woman by his side serving as both a wife and confidant whom he leaned on heavily, I’m sure, during the challenging times of his presidency.

Putting the welfare of others first has been a common trait in the White House for the last eight years.

It has been a memorable occasion to have the Obamas as America’s first couple, living scandal-free and promoting a strong sense of family and commitment to each other.

But alas, we have elected a man who has made it a point to be brash and provocative. 

May God bless and watch over us all. It looks like we’ll need it — soon.

Carl U. Eggleston is president of the Oliver & Eggleston Funeral Establishment. His email address is carlueggleston@gmail.com