The Changing of the Guard Jan.20, 2021

     

 

Bye Don and Hello Joe! What a day it was! A world wide celebration with positive energy bouncing off the wall at the border of Mexico. I watched the TV coverage off and on while working at home toggling between Zoom meetings and a virtual presidential ceremony. I still need to search for the highlights that I missed like Lady Gaga in a 'dovely' gown, the poet Amanda Gorman in a yellow coat, and JLo in white. The world was changing on my computer screen with all the pomp and circumstance of a royal ceremony. When the oath was over, I had tears running down my cheeks. It was truly a moment of hope and history.

I was scared and relieved when the ceremony ended. I kept thinking something or someone was going to stop it all from happening. The 46th U.S. President Biden has been in politics forever. His educated wife Jill will continue to teach at the community college. They moved to the big white house to start a new chapter. I found it difficult to identify some of the famous faces behind the safety masks. Obama’s eyes were smiling above his mask. It was an uplifting ceremony with a touch of the old and the new.  Bernie is now a meme in photos around the world staying warm in his worn winter coat and handmade mittens from a teacher. You have to admire his comfort zone and no-frill approach to life. Bernie will always be Bernie and nothing will change his ways.

My sister and I discussed the fashions of the inauguration by phone. We are following in our mom’s footsteps who was fascinated by designers, styles, colors, and hair. She had a lifelong subscription to Vogue Magazine and designer shoes for every season in her walk-in closet. There were shelves full of color-coordinated purses to match each outfit. She said it was worth buying high-quality clothes that are timeless. Our mom shopped at upscale stores and looked for quality, but stylish outfits that were often on sale. Every dress was accessorized with matching jewelry and shoes. I think her favorite outfit at the inauguration would have been Michelle Obama’s red pants and matching long coat. She voted for Obama breaking her lifelong vote for Republicans. It was her guilty secret that she revealed to us years later. Her parents will never know.

It’s a new day and new dawn as the song says. We celebrated that night with 1000 people at a virtual inaugural ball in our family room hosted by “Clean Energy for America.” We discussed the new presidency with perfect strangers from our couch. We toasted the bright future of Solar Power for America who sponsored the event. With the click of the computer mouse, we were in a virtual elevator going upstairs to the ballroom. There were live musical performances and excitement in the air. Paul Winter closed the party with an uplifting song. It’s a new day, a new life, and a bright horizon for us all. Stay close to your dreams and they will come true. It truly is a changing of the guard.