Inauguration Day

I'm thinking this morning about the inauguration yesterday.  I read a few comments about the inappropriateness of spending so much money on this event when people are hungry.  This was expanded upon by the thought that it is especially unnecessary to have such a big day for a second term. 

Duly noted.  These are good points.

I come out from a different perspective.  I think that our divided country needs a celebration from time to time.  Needs to hear our national songs sung when we're concentrating on them, not just before a sporting event.  Needs to hear poetry.  Needs to hear words of hope for social change.  To see past presidents, our elder statesmen, and think of the leadership they continue to exhibit and their work that goes on. 

Needs to think fondly of our friends who made the trip to Washington.  Needs to feel a sense of history. Maybe, even, once in four years, needs to admire how the White House children have grown into young women and see for the first time the First Lady's ball gown that we will see from now on at the Smithsonian.  Needs to recognize that, as in so many families, there's a grandmother helping out behind the scenes. 

I admire the conservatives among us who, for this one day, were mostly quiet, realizing that this day is about every one of us together, not our politics.  I admire Mitch McConnell, on this one day, for using the word "civility."

I think this day is important.