washwords

CNN had something they called “the moment”: I envisioned a collection of moments – what singular moment defined this experience for you – good/ bad/ funny/ poignant? That’s not what CNN meant – theirs turned out to be some weird microsofty photo thingie. cool, but … eh? I liked my idea better, so here it is…

Here’s what a few dozen people said was their moment, their “elevator story” as journalists like to say, some of them I know, some I don’t, but I want to hear them all. (Yes, even if you don’t agree in what I feel was the true spirit of the day.) What are yours?

• A friend of a friend, one of several lovely people I’ve “met” emailing about Obama since before the election says: I still cannot believe that my we have THIS. I am amazed
• Volunteering Friend: It was freezing, it was disorganized. And it was wonderful.
• Dear Obamaniac Writer Friend: Ok. I scored a ticket at the last minute (the night before) and set out alone to to make it to the “Orange Section,” just to the right of the Capitol, and ran into crowds so huge I really thought I wouldn’t make it. But then I oh-so-randomly ran into an amazing group of five people from a tax-lobbying office, of all things, and we walked what felt like miles together and got very bonded, took pictures of each other, looked out for each other, shared granola bars and heat packs and hugs and tears and “Obama!”s! A true Obama experience. Ahhhh….
• Long-lost high school pal: I think, that for me, there were two moments that made me pause & smile. First was when I tuned in, and saw the incredible diversity of the crowd. Black, white, brown, yellow, and of course rainbow..everyone was represented. The other was the invocation. I’m not usually all churchy, but I found the prayer thoughtful and inclusive.
• One of the few brave enough to do the whole venture down at 4 a.m., claim a spot, wait all day thing: Being on the parade route, and only guessing what the Mall looked like, I was moved by being able to hear the 100,000s of cheers coming from several blocks away from me! Very loud, very exciting.
• High school pal across the country: The inagural moment for me began when Senator Dianne Feinstein took the podium for the opening remarks (I was listening on NPR on my way to the office) I started crying tears of joy. I am so thrilled to be here to bear witness to this day and to have taken part in electing President Obama.
• 9-year-old neighbor of a good friend: When the dude messed up!  (We think she means Chief Justice Roberts)
• Writing group friend (met thru a class years ago): basically, i ran over to the inauguration from my arlington office. i left at 11:30, took the metro to foggy bottom, and then literally ran down 23rd street. it was cold so that made me warm. i was listening to the rick warren prayer on the radio — then i began to hear the sound itself coming from the mall. i realized as i ran: this is the best part, just that feeling of running, of the sun shining, of so many people walking in the same direction, and knowing i was actually going to make it in time.
• My college “paper” pal: I think one has to be from this morning, hearing the roaring cheers from the crowds when they got their first glimpse of Barack & Michelle. Their excitement was palpable. And seeing the seas of faces and little American flags being waved feverishly. And just the “accessibility” of our new First Family–they seem so wonderful and also … so normal…guess that’s why I feel comfortable calling them “Barack & Michelle”! I also love that Michelle brought a gift to Laura Bush at the White House. Class act.
• Yet another high school pal: i had to work today but i had c-span on in the next room… loved aretha’s hat! I thought it was poignant Obama addressed the world as a friend to all nations instead of making it a “U-S-A, U-S-A” rally. I liked the part about people judge you by what you build not by what you destroy, loved the excitement and electricity of the crowd (i could feel it here 800 miles away) and seeing the pride in the faces of the young people in the marching bands. seemed like Obama was checking out those Howard girls, then Michelle grabbed his hand!
• College/Grad school friends in with their kids (talking about the Obamas’ marriage): I like that it isn’t just happy, it’s real. They seem like a real family.”
• Little Boy I met on the walk home to VA across the bridge: It’s a special time. like we’re doing special things like taking a special trip to starbucks.
• Twitterer quoting his 10-year old: My 10-year-old just said: “Dad, most of my life Bush has been President. I’m starting to get more interested in politics, I think.”
• Al Roker: Wow! He talked to ME! He said ‘it’s warm!” The PRESIDENT! that is SO cool.”
• Beyonce (at the Welcome concert): Wow. (mouthing teary-eyed after her solo.)
• My Pal Rice, a high school classmate, named artistic director of the LGBA band, marking the first time a gay/lesbian band has marched in the inaugural parade (they performed at Clinton’s but weren’t asked to march) offers these lovely memories:

Looking up at seeing Barack turned away, being introduced to someone — but Michelle looking out at us and smiling and waving. Then Barack turned toward us, and smiled and waved as well. They are still here! The Bidens are still there as well. This was amazing — that they all stayed so long. We were so far into the parade, and the parade started an hour late, I was worried that they would need to leave to attend balls and other social obligations. But the balls can wait for him, for he is the president — and he chose to stay and watch the entire parade. (The Bidens left shortly after our performance, I’m told.)***I don’t know whose outfits are more inspirational — the Howard University colorguard or the Azalea Trail Maids. The HU colorguard don’t march — they strut. High step, swiveling hips, one foot in front of the other for a maximum swivel to show off — among other things — the capes. High-heeled boots (think Wonder Woman, but all white instead of red/white) complete the outfit. The Trail Maids look like pastel Hershey’s Kisses walking down the street. We are released to go back into warming tents when the parade is delayed. Watching the Trail Maids try to run in those dresses makes everything worthwhile.

***Very few people out on the street — an anemic in-person audience, all told. I don’t blame them — by the time we marched, they would have been outside for at least 12 consecutive hours, and who wouldn’t leave to seek out warmth, food, beverages, and a bathroom? But some have stayed, and cheer us on. Our protesters seem not to be here — perhaps they got too cold to wait for us? We still have a worldwide television audience. I can’t help recalling Milk and thinking that somewhere there is a young gay man in a wheelchair who won’t kill himself because we were on C-SPAN.***

My earlier thoughts that we should scrap the honor guard “next time” are quickly reversed when I realize that every uniformed military person must salute the American flag as it goes by. The streets are lined with the military. The Lesbian and Gay Band Association is receiving military salutes literally right and left. The honor guard is here to stay — I am on board with all this saluting.

***

Blossom — our military escort is named Blossom — is as excited as we are. The escorts apply to do this, without knowing who or what they will be assigned to do. Blossom was thrilled to participate in the inauguration, and then thrilled to be paired with us. I don’t think she’s one of us, but she clearly has colleagues who are, and she’s moved by our being in the parade. “You’re going to the best band in this parade,” she screams at us every block or two when we were walking from our bus drop-off to the start of the parade route. “I told everyone else my band is the best!”

***

When Kim (our head drum major) and I were finished with our mandatory meeting on Monday evening, we were approached by a series of uniformed military personnel who wanted to shake our hands and wish us luck. At first, I attributed this all to good relationship management but it seemed that we were being approached by more folks than was strictly necessary for that, and I began to realize what these people were really saying to us.

And then, as we went to leave, one more young man chased us down the hallway so that he wouldn’t miss his chance to shake our hands and wish us well. There was an intensity to his well wishes that moved me past simple realization to a much deeper understanding of what our performance was going to mean for people who cannot live their lives as openly as I do in my protective bubble of San Francisco.

I made it to the Metro train before I started crying.

• Another high school friend: As freezing cold it was the kids and I braved it until we thought our big toes were about to fall off. But I’d do it all over again. I just really got a kick out of all the people selling their wares on the street. You had everything from obama t-shirts to obama chicken dinners to obama soup and snacks (some guy went to Costco and bought a big pack of Cup ‘o Noodles and had hot water pot and was selling it)! The frenzy was awesome though. Obama hasn’t even been in the office one day and has already boosted the economy and entrepreneurship! LOL!

As for me, seeing people hopeful again. really hopeful. that seems like something.

Something indeed, says one of the high school pals cited above. Something indeed.

Too Pollyanna-ish? Want to tell me about the fight at AU, the person that fell on the Metro tracks the ticketholders that were never seated, the flaws in our golden idol Obamarama? Sure, we’ll do those. Maybe tomorrow.

But for now, let’s enjoy a shining moment (wow, how very special blossom of me) called: hope! Let’s unclench our fist to take a hand. Let’s roll up our sleeves. Let’s be remembered for what we build, not what we destroy.

“The teacher said: begin.” (This comes from the Inaugural Poem “Praise Song for the Day,” written and recited by Elizabeth Alexander. While Ms. Alexander received a LOT of criticism, there were elements of the poem I’m continuing to like more and more as I read it. This line is my favorite.)

And please do keep sending me your moments, personal and public, good, bad, and indifferent. Add them here (in comments)