The Sudden Tears

Today was a day long awaited for in our house. The exhaustion of the last four years have taken a physical toll. I planned to spend the whole day taking in the whole inauguration and it did not disappoint.

I watched as the previous occupant slunk out of town early as a spoiled toddler who does not want to share his toys. Nothing thrilled me more than seeing him take his clan with him to southern Florida where property values are dropping fast.

Back at the Capitol it was a joy to see previous Presidents gather to witness the history about to take place. Thankfully Pence is enough of an institutionalist to show up and do his duty. Even Dan Quayle came, now that he is no longer the worst Vice President in history from Indiana.

As Kamala and Joe with their families in tow filled the seats on the stage I was thrilled to see a good representation of what America looks like. When it came time for Kamala to take her oath I stood up to take a photo of her on my TV and as I did I burst into tears. Seeing a woman become Vice President made me more emotional than I had anticipated.

My whole life I had been told that women could be anything. I believed that. I am a product of all girls secondary schools, I have known and worked for great women, I have been in positions of leadership myself, but somehow, having a woman VP brought me great joy. After the last administration where photos from cabinet meetings looked like the old white guys club, Kamala was what I was missing.

Then there was Joe, with his much needed talk of unity in his most sincere folksy way. No gloating, no snideness, just honesty. Just soul cleansing.

But the women of the day stole the show. Lady Gaga was awe inspiring, Jlo beautiful, but the biggest hit of the whole day was the 22 year old Poet Amanda Gorman who recited a poem she wrote just last week after the riots on the Capitol called “The Hill We Climb.” She was the star of the day. She is the one to watch and I am ready to cast a vote for her now in 16 years when she runs for President.

Amanda Gorman gives me hope for the future. Joe and Kamala are who we need today, but Amanda brought tears to my eyes for a second time in an hour. I have seen the future and it is powerful. I have hope and peace that we can be a better America and the youth will lead us.

Then after laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown solider Joe got to work signing 17 executive orders. No balls or parties, no redecorating the White House. Just work on behalf of the American people. As he said in his speech, there is a lot to do. God bless our President and Vice President.