Watching these images on the TV—the motorcade—the arrival at the White House of the Obama’s —gift in hand to give to Laura Bush (how amazingly gracious are this couple?!)….the motorcade to the ceremony….I am overwhelmed—and keep welling up. It is an amazing moment that I can hardly believe. I am so proud of the American people for finally coming through…for taking charge of our country and history—and so grateful to this man for bringing out the best in us. And I am sur this will last throughout his Presidency—because this guy is the real deal. He is so consistent in his words and behavior, and so calm, and poised….because he is driven by a genuine vision. And it is a vision we need right ow in our country and world’s history. One of unity, and grace and hope and change. He said this was a time to bring people together - and not bicker or do politics as usual, and every move he has made through his election and even the transition has been consistent with that—reaching across party lines, races, ethnicity, countries, etc. He said this is the people’s election and presidency, and he’s created a sense of inclusion throughout the transition, and even this inauguration. I knew from his first speech at the DNC years ago, that he was the right man, at the right moment in our history—who we need to heal our country and our world. I am sure this will last….as it is being generated by a motor from deep within him that will continue to fuel us.

I move from delight to bittersweet … tears of joy to a surprising melancholy. Just like yesterday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, I wish so many more were here to see this day: James Chaney . Andrew Goodman . Michael Schwerner . Emmett Till . The 399 of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment . Linda Brown . Rosa Parks . Martin Luther King Jr. . Thurgood Marshall . Countless others who were murdered and died on the Middle Passage . Gabriel Prosser . Nat Turner . Denmark Vessey . John Brown . Dred Scott . Paul Robeson . Langston Hughes . Richard Wright . Alex Haley . Harriet Jacobs . James Baldwin . Ralph Ellison . Gwendolyn Brooks . El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz . and all the so many others who said “I too sing America …”.