For the first time ever I've had a chance to spend the day taking in all the great and small moments of a Presidential Inauguration Day. Here's just a few of the memories I'll hang on to from this great day:
1. ABC's full coverage of the day--it was not intrusive or ego driven as some of the cable networks where the commentators forgot that the day was not about them.
2. Michelle Obama presenting Laura Bush with a gift of a pen and journal for writing her memoirs when the Obamas "dropped" by the White House for coffee after church. Very classy gesture.
3. Secretary of Education designee Arne Duncan--I know nothing about him, but something tells me he's a good "school man" who will make sure that teachers will have the support and resources to finally make sure that No Child is Left Behind.
4. George H.W.Bush and Bill Clinton greeting each other with great affection before the inauguration ceremony--what a true odd couple. Love H's Dr. Zhivago hat--almost as good as Aretha's!
5. Faces across the world watching the day's events, especially the children in the Indonesian elementary school which Obama attended many years ago.
6. Malia and Sasha coming out on the stage all smiling and confident in their pretty outfits to watch their dad being sworn in. Malia had her camera handy throughout.
7. Aretha's tender, soulful singing of "My Country 'tis of Thee." And what a hat!
8. The Obamas walking the parade route--tall, strong and confident. They make a great team. And later their first dance was so casual and they both looked so modern and with it. Fortunately however, Fred let Ginger lead. . .
9. Obama's serious, almost stern, face as he waited in the wings to be announced and come on stage. He looked like a man who knows he has a job to do--rah, rah time is over. Our country needs a leader who is determined to help us dig out of our economic and morale tailspin. Hopefully he will be our "Sully."
10. The inaugural speech. I loved the way he spoke to not only Americans, but the world. He laid out how we would work with other countries who desire peace, but not tolerate threats to the safety of U.S. citizens. I loved his charge to all of us, both in and out of government, to stop behaving like children and get to work to right our course.
Well, I hope you have many great memories of today as well. Were they much different from mine? And let's all wish Obama a good night's rest and strong pot of coffee in the morning so the work can begin.
