Inauguration Day, 2009

Meredith, never one to miss drama, was a big fan of the inauguration of President Obama. She ran from the other room when she heard his arrival announced, shouting "Robama is coming!" She then stood by the television and presented him, getting into the fanfare of the occasion.


She raised both arms in the air as Aretha Franklin sang and she danced (and made me dance with her) as Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill played so beautifully. She won't remember this. And as one of the TV announcers pointed out, the day won't have the same significance for her as it does for her elders. That's because, Lord willing, it will seem completely unsurprising to her that a black man was inaugurated when she was three.

I am almost completely a-political, having a mind that God shaped so that it sees 47 sides to every issue and a temperament that seeks agreement among all 47 sides. So on this occasion, I can easily stand completely outside of politics, and just be grateful that God's name was invoked at this inauguration, that our President spoke of humility and virtue, and that one of God's peacemakers, Dr. King, has been honored by the fulfillment of a noble dream.