6:00 AM. The alarm goes off and for the first time I am not tempted to violently throw my alarm across the room. In fact, I jump out of bed with an excitement that on a regular day would not justify getting up that early in the bone chilling cold. But this was no ordinary day.
I quickly throw on several layers of clothing and make my way outside. It is still dark and so cold that it takes a few minutes to fully catch my breath. It is January 20, 2009, 6:15 in the morning and I am on my way to the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. I look around, and the streets are packed with people and cars, reminiscent of a typical Tuesday night after work.
With a warm cup of coffee in hand I make my way through Connecticut Avenue, towards the National Mall. As I get closer, the expectations of an enormous crowd suddenly becomes a reality.
I finally make my way to the National Mall and find a spot next to one of the television screens. It is now 6:45 in the morning, and the sun is just beginning to rise over the Washington Monument. It is truly a beautiful scene, but I am too occupied with keeping warm to enjoy this moment. In fact, the weather is so extremely cold that my California blood has trouble estimating the temperature.
The crowd keeps growing, as does the enthusiasm. While struggling with aching joints and numb fingers, strangers start conversations and share stories of the journey that brought them to this moment. The love and warmth in everyone’s eyes begins to slowly diminish the effects of the cold. A sea of American flags waving through the air and the simultaneous roar of 2 million people signals the moment we had been waiting for. With a cool confidence and a demure disposition, Barack Obama walks onstage, takes the oath of office and at 12:05 PM becomes the 44th President of the United States, changing the history of this country forever.
There are approximately 2 million people on the National Mall today and standing with that crowd, I feel the energy and presence of every single person. Being there and experiencing history in the making is one of the most unbelievable and inspiring moments of my life. Sharing that moment with 2 million people and being a part of that crowd is a spiritual experience. The love, emotion and hope in the crowd is more powerful than anything I have ever experienced. It is a moment many thought they would never see. It is a moment that 60 years ago was only a dream. It is a moment that changed the world.
