I’m not sure how we missed the fact that this extravaganza was happening the evening of Inauguration Day, but we finally watched it tonight (only two days late🙄), and we’re really glad we did!
It was moving and uplifting and fun. I loved hearing stories and tributes honoring a diversity of “ordinary” Americans. I enjoyed the wide range of musical styles, performed by top notch entertainers of all descriptions, and the way the presentations cut back and forth across the country.
And as a performer and event organizer myself, I marveled at the complexity of the show and how flawlessly they pulled it all off. I can’t begin to imagine the planning that went into an event like this. As for the ending fireworks? Absolutely breathtaking!
I wasn’t really expecting to be swept up in such intense waves of feeling today. I think a part of me has been holding back, maintaining some distance — perhaps in order to keep me safe from last minute disappointments?
So it wasn’t until last night that it all kicked in for me. Hearing about the “Wear Pearls on Jan 20th, 2021” Facebook group — over 470,000 women united in their commitment to wear pearls in honor of Kamala — lit a fire under me.
I tuned into the ceremony partway through Biden’s speech and was so grateful for his calm, gracious, humble demeanor. Of course, I know he’s not perfect, but it feels to me like his sincerity is real and his character is true.
I have no words to describe how blown away I was by Amanda Gorman. Just… WOW!
But maybe what surprised me the most was the intensity of my relief. It’s as if I hadn’t been able to fully acknowledge — even to myself — just how anxious and uncomfortable and even, as a person of color, fearful I had been for much too long (not for myself so much, but for my family and POC in general). It takes a lot of energy to keep from knowing what one knows, and now that energy is freed up and available to use in constructive ways.
As I sobbed uncontrollably at the end of the ceremony I felt a bone deep, visceral sense of release. And, yes, I felt like I could breathe again; that I could recognize my country again; that the true power of love and light and truth had prevailed yet again.
Out of all the eloquent words people shared today, I especially loved the following (written by a friend; thanks, Paul Green):
“Today I’m reminded that miracles are miracles. Just one miraculous day carries enough power to transcend four years of darkness. Just one lightbulb chases out a whole room of darkness. Just one young poet reminds us of the positive power of the word, after years of debasement of language. Love can win, no matter how long it’s been beaten down. There are no small miracles.”
