1.20.09

I can't begin to discuss what I saw this past Tuesday.

This past October my mother called me and said that she had our hotel rooms in DC.  I just chuckled, but there was a sense of excitement and urgency that my mother expressed. After rambling she said..."You know not if, but when it happens, we have to be there."

We were there.  I was honored to share that day with 1.8 million others, but also with my mother.

My mother who is second generation removed from slavery.  My mother who had to sit on the back of the bus.  My mother  who remembers when they called to board the train they would request whites first, colored soldiers next, then if there were any seats left, then black people could get on.  She who protested and marched during the Civil Rights Movement.  My mother remembers when we were Niggers, Negros, Colored, Black and now African-American.

On election night, when I called my mom, who is eternally stoic, I could hear her choking up.  She said, "Baby, I never thought in my lifetime I would see a black president."

Honestly, I never thought I would either.  I thought maybe my children or my grandchildren would have the privilege.

This past Tuesday, I was blessed to be there...with the masses. 

We happened to stand in a group of numerous women of color.  We stood there with pride as we watched our First Family walk through the Capitol halls leading to the Inauguration Ceremony.

At the moment that Michelle Obama walked through the halls, we all welled up with tears.  Here I was looking at a woman who was as brown as I am, beautiful, smart, eloquent...who as a black reporter called...undeniably black from a distance.

When Sasha and Malia walked down the halls, we welled up again.  To see two happy and beautiful brown girls.  Brown girls who have grown up in a happy home filled with love and two parents who care for them.

Then our President walked down the hall by himself.  He looked serious, walked with a typical black man swagger, filled with confidence knowing that he is going to try and make America better place.

Here it is Saturday and I have been home since Thursday.  I still well with pride.  I still well up with tears when I think about what I had the honor to see on Tuesday.

I pray for Divine guidance for our President and Vice President.  I continually pray for their safety and the safety of our First Family.

OBAMA!!!