The Inauguration, DC Day #5

Hope was in the air as we awoke to one of the biggest days of our lives. Being that it was only 5:45, getting ready in 30 minutes was quiet the struggle. Bundled up and ready to go we headed out into the still starry morning. When we reached the metro we found thousands of people pushing and shoving all trying to get to the same place as us. The metro ride was hot. After four stops we were claustrophobic, and ready to get off. Because everyone was using the metro, we had to stop twice as much due to train traffic. 45 minutes later we had had it. Somebody had the genius idea to sing. Sundays concert was still in our minds so we sang, “Lean On Me.” The whole metro car started to sing and we repeated verses over and over, just so we could keep singing. We continued to do the “National Anthem,” “America The Beautiful,” an attempt at the “Eye of the Tiger,” and a good-bye song to Bush. When we finally arrived at Federal Triangle, no one wanted to get off. We were having so much fun the prospect of enduring the cold for another four hours, wasn’t that inviting. But of course we did, and went to find John and the others.

Outside, there were literally millions of people. From the capitol all the way to the Lincoln Memorial people were squished together like ants. Once we found John, and lost Sue; Sophie, Logan, Kendal and I huddled together for warmth, waiting for the Inauguration to start. When it finally did we were icicles and had lost interest in the people who were going to talk before Obama. After Aretha, and after Yo Yo Ma, Obama was presented. He was sworn in by one of the members of the Supreme Court, and then he gave his speech.

He talked of justice, peace and equality. Of helping out beyond our borders; to boost our image around the world. He acknowledged the problems we were facing, saying that it was no easy task, that we would have to work together to complete it. He was brutally honest, he was inspiring and most of all he made everyone watching, either there or on TV, proud to be an American again.

After that the day was a blur. Everyone was amazed, and speechless. It was like a dream. It seemed like only yesterday was November 4^th; only yesterday we were saying how we should go to Washington DC for the Inauguration. And now here we are, and we can finally say “Barack Obama” is our president!