Participant in History

I was moved to tears many times during the Inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President of these United States of America. (Including when I first saw Arethra Franklin's hat, or was that an escaped float from the parade?)

I was touched by seeing all our living retired Presidents and the outgoing President provide an honorable and peaceful transition. I told our boys how incredible and special this is, to have a transition of power without bloodshed and that this is not taken for granted across our southern borders in Mexico. Tears streamed down my face when I felt the impact of an individual who was considered "3/5" of a human when the U.S. Constitution was written, now holds the highest office in the land, well, it took my breath away. Anyone who has felt the sting of prejudice for any reason (and that means everybody) has reason to celebrate the election of a Biracial Commander In Chief.

It is wonderful to be part of this challenging and celebratory moment in history. It's been a long time since we as a nation's people or citizens of the world celebrated together. It seems that the only things that have united people have been disasters, like 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina. We do have disasters on our hands, the financial meltdown, healthcare crisis, environmental degradation, you name it. But I felt a lightening of these burdens as I felt a sense of togetherness and hope for a better day.