Inauguration Day Tears

I have wept today, during the Inauguration and after. My tears, I think, were of relief, of knowing I was witnessing a special, integrated, brilliant man become our 44th President. He is so present, can let his vulnerability show and be spontaneously appropriate.

I have read his books, so I know he’s taken his time to figure out why he is who he is. That’s important to me. He can only be a better husband, father and President by coming to grips with his emotional and inherited baggage. We all have it and sometimes I think that our baggage is interacting with everyone else’s baggage. He’s paid enough attention to his that it doesn’t weigh him down; everyone knows about it. How healthy! What role-modeling for the rest of us.

When he acknowledges his feelings, as he did about Ted Kennedy’s departure for medical reasons at the Congressional Luncheon, he connects to us. That is so refreshing. Indeed, he’s bringing change to America on all levels. He’s showing a sensitivity to people that is thrilling. He reached back to honor the Black WWII airmen by inviting them to Washington; they were genuinely overwhelmed to be so remembered.

He is openly affectionate with his family, he shares his wonderful sense of humor with us, as he did during his service work to honor Martin Luther King Day, and tells us that he is taking all of us into the Oval Office with him. I feel both lucky and grateful to have been able to spend part of my day today in front of my TV set. I don't usually do that...