January 20th, 2009. The day will be filled with excitement and hopefully new traditions! Barak Obama, the first elected black President, will proudly be sworn into office on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. as the 44th President of the United States. Some people will attend the ceremony in person, others will be watching televised broadcasting in the comforts of their own home, business or school; all, however, will be paying close attention. Our country, politicians and it's people, will be on display, as well as taking part in some festivities planned, such as dinners and inaugural balls.
The new President, along with his family, will most certainly put his best foot forward in order to show that he is ready and able to tackle the important tasks that lie ahead.
I, on the other hand, will be reading, watching, and keeping a close eye on all the festivities as they occur. Upon moving to Park Avenue, Jim and I have seriously been considering visiting New York and Washington D.C. in the next couple of years. I have an extraordinary memory, at the age of 9, and as a newly arrived immigrant, of visiting the Lincoln Memorial during our trip to California from New York. I remember getting off the train at Washington Metro Station and Walking up the 200, (or so it seemed), steps to this gigantic white Greek temple with many Doric columns majestically holding it up. Arriving at the top of the steps and breathless, in my limited English, I read many words inscribed on the marbled stone walls, but without the understanding of their true meaning in relation to this new country and its history; but I knew, or guessed, that Abraham Lincoln, was an important person; if only by the size of the man's sculpture and his regal stature and pensive look! Years later, when studying the Civil War and having to recite and memorize the solemn Gettysburg Address, the Lincoln Memorial in all its glory always came to mind, as it does now for the inaugural.
To honor our new President, perhaps our trip to Washington D.C. and the Lincoln Memorial will be sooner rather than later and should include a visit to tour the White House.
Maybe we can sneak a peek at the new President or his family? Who Knows?
