Wednesday, January 21, 2009
An American Moment
A once-in-a-lifetime experience. The swearing-in of Barack Obama. I even had a ticket. Of course, it was a Purple ticket. Yes, I was part of the crew from what has now been called the "Purple Tunnel of Doom".
Most everyone knows by now that there were thousands of us with official tickets left outside the security gates, including me and my cousin who flew up from Florida to be there. After 5 hours waiting in the cold, and inching ever so closer, we gave up and made our way to the nearest hotel lobby in hopes of catching now-President Obamas speech. Alas, we headed out too late, but ended up gathered about an electric blue PT Cruiser owned by an inauguration vendor (complete with Barack cut-out standup who posed with ladies in furs) while our new Presidents words blared from the car stereo on the street next to the Hyatt on the Hill.
More than 100 of us by my estimate. Hopeful (yet locked out) Americans of all ages, races, creeds, and persuasions gathered around the car to hear the new President. With pride and tears welling up and the muffled sound of our applause through gloved hands, we braved the cold and shared the moment.
Was I disappointed in not being among the hundreds of thousands (and more) in front of the Capitol and on the Mall and having but a purple souvenir ticket to the event? Sure. But I will never forget where I was (and almost was) on the day our country took a giant step forward . . . Together.
Truly a moving American moment.
And never a bitter memory.
Copyright (c) 2009, Ledge Counsel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
