Several people over the last few days have asked whether or not we would be attending any of the inaugural festivities that have brought our city to a virtual standstill.
Clearly, I need to review a few things about myself.
I don’t like the cold. The temperature here has been somewhere between 7 and 31 for the past 5 days.
I don’t enjoy porta potties. And although my years in the operating room trained my bladder well, I don’t think even I could have lasted all day.
The last time we attended something big like this on the mall was the 4th of July celebration about 4 years ago. It took us 3 hours to get home. 3 hours with cranky hot children and standing room only on the buses and metro. NEVER AGAIN.
I could go on.
So no, we didn’t go to any of the festivities. We stayed home and watched everything from our comfy couch.
I did turn down the thermostat to 65 in a move of solidarity.
But even though I wasn’t there, I was mightily moved by the events of the day. From the opening prayer by Rick Warren to the mighty voice of Aretha Franklin (loved the hat!) to the solemity of the oath taken by both VP Biden and President Obama, to the moving benediction by Rev. Lowery. I was alternately smiling and sobbing.
Whatever your politics, it was a great day to be an American. It’s a new day.
Even if you didn’t leave your couch.
I thought maybe you would have taken your kids to the INDOOR concert with the cute Obama children
Another funny entry on your part.
Amen, sistah.
I agree. No matter what your politics, it was a great day – one that Katie and Elena will tell their grandchildren about someday.