Four years ago tonight, my husband and my child and I were visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Washington, DC.
Four years ago, tonight, we were laying out our clothes and hats and scarves and hand warmers for the morning. Four years ago tonight, we were getting ready to get up at 4:30 in the morning and eat a warm breakfast made by my sister and brother-in-law. Four years ago tonight, we knew that we would be heading out into the 5 degree weather to make our way in the dark to the Capitol lawn.
We knew our route to our gate. We knew that the crowd would be huge. We hoped that we would make it through the blue gate to the Capitol lawn.
What we didn't know is that the feeling that we had encountered all weekend long - the feeling of absolutely electric happiness and boundless hope would be magnified that morning.
We arrived at the lawn. Along with our fellow citizens and celebrants, we watched the sun rise. We watched the crowd in all of it's amazing, huge, loud, diverse wonderful glory. We watched as history happened in front of us and behind us and all around us. We breathed in the joy.
Four years ago tonight, I could only anticipate what tomorrow would bring.
Inaugural love to you all,
Kelly/CJB