The moment it became real.
A moment of encouragement.
A moment of grace. Michelle gives Laura a gift. A journal and pen for her memoirs.
One of many moments of pride. America smiles out to the world.
And the world smiles back. In the town where his father was born.
In the elementary school my son attended 25 years ago. I was delighted to find this photo - the Schools Chancellor joined the students to watch the Inauguration. When my son was there he was bullied and insulted. He was asked why he was so dark when his mother was white. I closed my eyes and imagined him being able to say he was just like the President.
Speaking of our children ... They were watching from Iraq.
Along with the warriors who came before them - The Tuskegee Airmen.
The Queen stood where Marion Anderson couldn't.
A moment of genuine joy
I watched the real "regular Joe" - with his wife, with his son. I remembered Palin asking if she could call him Joe. I laughed out loud - No Sarah, you can call him Mr. Vice President.
This isn't from yesterday. It was taken at the Lincoln Memorial concert but Malia had her camera with her yesterday too. So engaged in the world around her.
And the Lion survived another battle ...
It was a good day.
47 comments:
I cried even more than I thought I would.
Great wrap up!
*smiles*
What a beautiful post. I really wish Canadians were as patriotic.
Indeed it was! A very good day! Aren't those two little girls just the sweetest? This is going to be a fun 4 years! (maybe 8)
A beautiful selection of images, Dianne - particularly the kidlet' faces at your son's childhood school. That's a touching scene and thought.
Miranda, we Canadians are patriotic - just in a quieter way. :)
Yesterday was a good day. Lots of uplifting moments and positive vibes.
Wonderful. I was especially moved by the photos of the military for some reason... maybe because I hadn't seen them before.
As I'm typing this, I'm seeing the photo of Rick Warren... and it occurred to me by making Warren so widely public - Obama put Warren's beliefs out there for scrutiny. I've heard numerous gay leaders interviewed who say that he has apologized to them and that he has been forced into some dialogue and some re-thinking. Maybe I'm overly optimistic here, but there is something to be said for shining light on darkness.
Yes, a good day indeed. The first of many I'm sure.
I'm trying to type a comment through tears, again.
This was so much bigger than one country. This was a moment for every person who has been told "NO", whether because of race, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, manner of dress, ...
Mr Obama will be faced with many challenges. He inherits a great mess... but he understand that "NO" just isn't an answer, not an acceptable one.
I have hope, again.
Miranda, we are patriotic.
Patriotism isn't measured by grand displays, but rather by pride in where we come from, remembrance of what we've been through and the resolve to keep walking on that journey. I hope all nations, all people have the freedom to take that journey.
WE are citizens of the world before anything else. We are all sisters and brothers. When we forget that? We forsake our humanity.
I hope we can all keep that in mind.
To borrow Mr Obama's words: "(...) all are equal , all are free , and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
Hang on I hope we are ready.
It was on so early here, by the time we woke up, Obama was just finishing up his speech. :(
I love the thumbs-up. The smile on her face was so precious, so genuine.
Yep! You already know my sentiments on yesterday but gotta reiterate them here, just one more time. It was a great day, indeed. Just AWESOME!
Tears and all -but they were tears of joy, of pride, of accomplishment that we, as a nation, put this man into this office!
Yes, We Can! Really rings very true, doesn't it?
Sasha's little mittened thumbs up was so cute! I think the mic picked up a sound bite from her that sounded like "good job daddy!" or at least that's what I think I heard...loved it.
Dianne, this was such a great overview of the day...good job lady!
sunshine - I knew I would cry but I too surprised myself which how much and how long :)
mahala - and hugs ...
miranda - thank you! Americans are over the top about their ceremonies and usually it annoys me but yesterday cleansed a bitter palate. there were many Canadians in the crowds, waving your flag and ours and they sure were pretty loud ;)
melli - they are lovely. Sasha was skipping as she held Dad's hand and walked from the White House to the parade stand and she smiles at everyone :)
hilary - I almost passed that photo by and then the name of the school jumped out at me and all the memories came flooding back ...
jay - and lord knows we all needed a good day
raven - the military photos got to me because they can be and feel so involved even though they are there and in such danger
I think Warren showed what a clown he is and his over blown, snake charmer prayer was the only moment lacking dignity in the entire ceremony - and I wonder if Barack might have known that ;)
rob - I sure do hope so! we need them
anndi - oh my ... you silenced me and that's damn near impossible.
I love ya girl
queen sized funny bone - I'm ready - I feel like I've been twisting out there alone for so long, any measure of recognizing that I exist is a huge step forward
kerry - someone in the stands said that she truly surprised him with that thumbs up and he was taken back for a second before he started laughing :)
jeni - I love the word AWESOME ;)
shelly - there was another moment that the mics picked up at the parade that really had me crying - when Michelle came into the reviewing stands she hugged someone and said "we're here, we made it, we're home"
I got beautiful chills reading this post, Dianne!
You really know how to capture a moment!
The postive energy from these images, is only reinforcement to me...that he was truly the ONE!
Thank you for sharing, dearest lady!
X
Perfect post...perfect pictures...perfect words...
I hope your son smiled and lit up the world yesterday.
I especially loved the pictures of the soldiers...President Obama IS their Commander In Chief!
I enjoyed yesterday..It gave me a feeling of hope. He is a bright young man, we need to try our best to support him and get our country back to where it should be.
His wife and family did us proud. Lovely family.
It was great wasn't it? There were tears this side of the Pond too :)
I really enjoyed the Benediction at the end too.
It was a GREAT day .. thank you for your recappage which is far more fun than the networks ... Malia has been shooting everything since the election... she also video'd (with that little point and shoot) the swearing in.
I am in love with the Secret Service guys who were standing behind the Os during the parade .. one of them spent every nano sec that I watched turning his head almost completely 360 degrees .. see him there in that photo behind the dancing Os? Amazing man.
Nice recap - I will probably remember this day forever.
A wonderful post. Thank you.
It was a very good day :o) And you made me cry all over again. Oh how proud I was yesterday...
I was glued to the tv all day yesterday, but looking at the still images is somehow more moving and meaningful than watching video. Maybe because there's time to actually stop and look and think about what's happening instead of it all moving by so fast. Thanks for posting some of my favorites.
A beautiful collection of memories, Dianne. They are a beautiful family aren't they?
What FABULOUS Pictures, Dianne....It gives one such a feeling of how our boys and girls reacted from far away---I hadn't seen any of those before. And the two little girls....How delightful are they? LOVE that you found that picture of the school....!
What a difference those 25 years have made, yes?
It is ALL a true Breath Of Fresh Air, in every way....The Old Toads, are gone....!
The hope emanating from the other side of the Atlantic is palpable :)
A wonderful day. I watched most of the coverage by myself and just cried and cried. It was a good cry!
Happy days are here again....
Beautiful images to go with a beautiful day. I can't count how often my eyes welled up and the times when I gave in and let the tears come out. We are so fragile right now, but I feel safe with this man leading us.
I have the utmost respect for PRESIDENT Obama's intellect as well as the First Lady. But just to be superficial for a moment, I'm still so struck by how stunning the whole family is. The Obamas and the Bidens both are beautiful families I don't mind looking at one bit! And the girls...I could go on and on. Thanks for presenting these pictures the way you have, great captions!
What a great recap, Dianne, just wonderful!! I have that deeply satisfied feeling today, like thing's can be turned around now!
ron - I'm glad you got beautiful chills :)
the reward for sharing
bond - I feel a pull, a physical pull every time I see photos of our kids over there - I want to throw bubble wrap around them
did you see the O's dancing with enlisted soldiers at the ball?
Obama insisted that junior officers and enlisted men and women be invited, normally it's just the big wigs
cassie - he is a very bright man and his family shines! thanks for the visit :)
jackie - they showed some shots from London, I didn't see Scotland but I could feel it :)
daryl - I am calling them the O's from now on!
Malia is so grown-up, one of O's best friends said they call her "the oracle" - have since she was a baby
I noticed that agent too! He's hot :)
pink - I know I will!
linda r - you're welcome, it was a pleasure to put together
ivanhoe - good tears :)
the7msn - I am so glad you enjoyed! I love still photography and spent the night searching the net - the O's are so photogenic
bobbie - they are! and they make you feel good - there is so much love and confidence among them - you can see it in their eyes, in the way they interact
oldoldlady of the hills - there is so much that didn't get covered that I found in the stills - it was a treasure hunt
bob-kat - finally something is emanating from here other than the stink of Bush! Happy days :)
crystal chick - I did the exact same thing - I was talking to the TV ;)
OMG Excellent post! I got jazzed up all over again! Aloha-
It was the best day in history in a very long time!
It is a wonderful wrap up, Dianne, and the pictures are magnificent! My kids went through the same thing with why are you so dark and your mother is so white. We didn't care then and we surely don't care now -- it's not the color of skin that makes or breaks the hero. I was the best day I can remember in a very long time!
You did an excellent job preserving this day in history, capturing so many emotions. Thank you for sharing and reflecting. And now we must all get some rest so we can work hard to help President Obama create the change that needs to happen. We CAN do it ~ together!
Dianne,
this post had me bawling for the pictures of "our kids in Iraq"; the faces of crying soldiers, the Old Lion who survived another battle; the First Couple joking around; your son's school.
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.
Yes it was......a very good day!
Fan-damn-tas-tic pictures, Di. And Jill looks good in boots. Mmmmmm, boots. Cheers Di!!
What a beautiful, moving post! Thank you for sharing the moments with all of us!
cloudia - I'm hoping to keep the jazzed up feeling going! we will need it for the days ahead
aims - yes it was! thanks for coming by :)
sylia - we care only to stop other people from caring - if that makes any sense - what Jeffrey went through as a child is still happening to other children - Muslim children, Mexican children, gay children ...
deb - I do hope more people get involved in civics and community :)
debo - if making people teary was a career I'd be on top of the world!! lol
I'm so glad you liked the pics
micky - yes it was!!
matt-man - I thought of you with that one ;)
did you see her in her red gown matty? bet she was wearing red boots under it and she's a Dr.!!
deserthorses5 - thank you for coming by to share the moments with all of us :)
Here.. Here.. Dianne. Indeed it was.
I did see them dancing and then the interview with the Sargent who danced with the president. she said he was very nice and all. When asked if she was happy about him being President she said "He is my Commander In Chief, I support him"...I thought that was a bit lukewarm, but what the heck!
I have an award for you... SMOOCH!
So you better get your voice back hehehe!
spartacus - I'm still pretty jazzed :)
bond - I guess as a military person she is expected to not show much approval or disapproval about a President
anndi - smooch to you too kid ;)
seeing a picture of the soldiers crying really got to me. great pics!
Oh god, Dianne, how marvelous, how wonderful, incredible! Excellent post! Thank you for your enthusiasm, great shots, and positive thoughts! :)
liberality - makes me cry every single time too!
mary - thank you!! you were a wonderful voice all throught the election and I appreciate that so much
A wonderful collection of images. Wasn't it a wonderfully historic day?
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