Inauguration

I went to the Inauguration of Barack Obama in DC yesterday. It was AMAZING!!!!!! What struck me was the overwhelming brotherly love that was ebbing through the crowd of 2 million. People tried to not push. They were picking up hats, gloves and scarves and holding them above their heads, saying—“is this anyone’s?” They parted the crowd to try to let mothers through to their lost children and stepped aside to allow families and groups to stay together. They helped out people who had fainted and called 911. Strangers shared their food, flags and hugs and tears with people they had not met until that day. The sense of community was overwhelming. There were people from all over the United States represented. It was like one big huge family reunion, with people saying I am your long lost relative from California, Detroit, Michigan, Alabama, etc. I wish that we all could bottle that feeling of openness that was in the air at the inauguration on a daily basis. Can you imagine what we could do if we could treat everyone like our brother every day? The feeling was intoxicating.

And again I was blessed with a miracle as I do seem to have a problem holding on to my money. Paulette drove me to the metro at 4AM. Unfortunately, my money and map was left in the car and Paulette had no way of getting back to me. I went up to K9 Officer Donald Paige and explained the situation. He asked—“What do you need?” I said I just need enough money to get a metro ticket. He handed me 10 dollars and told me to have a wonderful time. I asked for his name and address to send him a thank you note. I was flying higher then a kite. I knew I was meant to be here and experience this special day.

Once I got on the mall I found a spot in front of the big screen TV by the Smithsonian. The group was doing the hokey pokey. I knew that this was the group I want to hang out with. They were a great bunch of people! There was a group of Georgetown girls and a reporter from CNN and her family as well as 3 people from California that I shared this wonderful experience with. As I stood there, I gave thanks to all the people that helped to make this day a reality; First and foremost I was thankful to my husband for taking off work to watch our 3 children so I could go the Inauguration; Christen for lending me a coat, Rick for his sound advice, Jody for her encouraging words, Pat for her ski pants, Paulette and George for lending me their guest room and driving me to and from the metro station at insane hours. Obviously I was thankful to Officer Donald Paige for giving me 10 dollars for the metro ticket. I was also thankful to Gwen from California for giving me a flag to wave. I am truly a blessed woman and I wanted to share my experiences with you because in essence I was representing you as I stood on the mall. I have such a renewed sense of hope for the future. The world we want is there. It is no further then inside of us all.