How do you describe the most historic event of your life so far? How do you put over 400 years of history into words? You can't. Its not possible, words are too dry to describe what transpired yesterday in front of millions of people around the world. One man tried to get in in a phrase: "We are finally back in the house we built." That's not really my history, but I think it gets close to how many many people feel about an Obama presidency.
It was an incredible day all around, there was a feeling of real excitement rushing through the crowds, and it did not appear that anyone was disappointed after it was said and done. Started the day at 12:45 am Tuesday morning as I headed down to D.C.. Getting in five hours later at the D.C. Metro train was pretty easy, but the city was already moving and it was clear that this was going to be a busy day. You know when you are on a train heading to a baseball game and there are a handful of people wearing jerseys or hats and you know they are in it for the same reason as you? Well this was kind of like that, except every single person you saw was traveling to see the same thing; one man march into history.
Rolled into Union Station at about 7:20 and was resigned to the notion that a video screen and a massive crowd would be the way I was going to have it all go down. Well I was either at the beginning of a Karma movement, or somewhere in the middle, because a good man came up and handed me a ticket to the silver gate. Having no idea where this was, or really how to get there I obviously asked for directions, and was given some moderately acceptable information; "left on D, left on 3rd." Ok, that sounds quick and easy, and then I found myself in an hour and twenty minutes of getting way more acquainted with fellow citizens then I imagined would be the case. This was the worst traffic jam of people I have ever seen; two massive waves of people were trying to get through the same intersection and no one was all that willing to budge. A few guys on light poles and in trees made it happen after what seemed like hours and in the end I was free and feeling really good about being able to put my hands in my pockets without elbowing five people as the same time.
After my free-walking session it was time to make some progress to the silver gate, still not sure if I was actually going to get to see any of this go down. Apparently I had found the absolute worst spot in D.C. because there was nothing even close to what I had just experienced and I managed to get through the gate and onto the mall in short order. In this picture, I was standing just behind the first screen on the left, close, but not so that anything could be distinctly seen without the screen.
A view from my angle:
By now you have heard the speech, seen all the fanfare and had your own feelings about it. Whatever you felt I hope it has given you a sense that we are all in this together and that whatever your vision is for our country, you have at least the next four years to find a partner in your government who is willing to work with you. Get out there and do something, volunteer, make something happen, it really is up to us. I know that I have a renewed sense of responsibility to my students and their families to be a part of what they perceive the American dream to be. To be as good an educator as I can be and to make all the hard work and long hours they put in for their children to have a better chance than they had a fruitful endeavor and one that works out as they hope it will.
Now is the time, we have a leader and no more excuses, "we are the change we seek." Make your mark and help someone else make theirs.
One last note. Amid all the history and significance of the day, perhaps the most joyous, or at least the most cathartic experience was seeing Bush fly 200 feet over my head in his helicopter as he finally left power. A one finger salute was properly given, though disappointingly he was not headed for the Hague.
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