O Happy Day!

I couldn't stop crying this morning.
Don't worry. They were tears of joy.

Amazing Children and I watched the Inauguration of President Barack Obama live on television.

There were many wonderful moments. I especially loved this part of our President's speech:

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

Amazing Son loved every minute. He really appreciated the piece arranged by John Williams performed by Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill.

Amazing Daughter loved the First Lady's beautiful gold dress and coat, but had some misgivings about the gloves. AD gave a big belly laugh at the end of the benediction by civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery.

"We ask you to help us work for that day
when black will not be asked to get back,
when brown can stick around,
when yellow will be mellow,
when the red man can get ahead, man,
and when white will embrace what is right."

We three weren't the only ones laughing. The crowd in DC roared. Lowery then paraphrased a Bible verse, ending with a hearty "Let all who do justice and love mercy say amen!" The crowd shouted back, "Amen!" and cheered.

Happy days are here again. God bless us everyone.