Just like the start of a new baseball or football season, the first day of a new session of Congress brings with it the hope that progress will be made on a variety of issues important to individual lawmakers and the nation, even as we say goodbye to those who will no longer be a member of the House or Senate.
So, as the 113th Congress begins Thursday at noon, the halls of the Capitol and the office buildings of the House and Senate will be filled with small kids, proud parents and a big dash of pomp and circumstance.
Oh, and a little politics as well.
The 112th Congress will only end minutes before the new Congress begins, as the House will return for one final session just one hour before new lawmakers are sworn in.
The plans for that were released as the office of Speaker John Boehner was denying talk that Boehner was going to give up his post, while rumors circulated that some more conservative GOP lawmakers were still going to try to force him out as Speaker.
"Stay tuned," was all one member would tell me, while at the same time encouraging me to pay close attention to what goes on when the House convenes on Thursday at 12 noon.
I'm still not sure that I believe that some members will try to oust the Speaker, but I will take this lawmaker's advice and be watching. Closely. Just in case.
Two years ago, Boehner was riding high, as Republicans took back the House, and he played host as the new Speaker, taking pictures with all the Congressional families, and smiling like someone who was having the best day of his life.
But in recent weeks, Boehner has been under fire, both from Democrats and from other Republicans; critics feel like he didn't negotiate a good fiscal cliff deal and that he is not a committed fiscal conservative.
If he stays as Speaker, Boehner will certainly be tested on fiscal matters again, as the fiscal cliff deal ensured several showdowns over money in the first three months of the year, over the debt limit, automatic budget cuts and the stop gap budget for the federal government.
It's one reason some Republicans want to force a big showdown over spending in the 113th Congress.
"We have to have, let's call it a "Braveheart" moment," said Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA), "and fight to the death if we have to."
It's not clear how any of those battles will be dealt with, since Democrats say any spending agreement must involve new taxes, Republicans are only interested in budget cuts, and entitlement reforms seem unlikely.
But, it's a new Congress. And like the arrival of pitchers and catchers in spring training, there is always hope.
"In baseball, democracy shines its clearest," the great Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell wrote in his poem about the game.
Both parties get the chance to start anew in the 113th Congress, even if all of the grudges and slights and verbal jabs never quite go away.
But today, there will be lots of smiles.
Welcome, 113th Congress. You start with hope. You may end with acidic exchanges and pointed fingers.
But we wouldn't have it any other way.
