Since our employer urged us to watch the inauguration on television (most offices have one), we decided to go into the classroom and bring munchies and watch starting at 7 a.m. local time (10 a.m. Washington D.C. time). I brought cinnamon rolls, someone else made coffee, another person brought fruit and dip. We made a little party out of it.

Problem was, no one would shut up and listen. Not only was one person in the room declaiming on every single facet, she interspersed her commentary with remarks about her partner and last weekend's escapades, and another person who arrived on the scene spent the entire two hours talking (sharing) the inauguration through with a friend on her cell phone.

For me, this was a once in a lifetime happening, something I and my Quaker ancestors worked for, they with the Underground Railroad, I marching and registering voters during Freedom Summer, and I wanted to honor the time with my full attention.

I left the room, wandered about for a bit, found a TV tucked away in a conference room and turned it on. The sound was fine; the picture a bit grainy, but at last I could watch in peace and rejoice in the birth of a new era.

What a time. I pray for him to stay safe; I wish him well in all his endeavours. Three cheers for President Obama! May he live long and prosper.