[nickchris]

MLK's birthday, and now today. For those of us with children this is a great moment. 40 plus years later, one man's dream, can see some fulfillment. Did anyone do anything special this week-end, or today?

[Cjmeck]

Now that I've stopped crying long enough to read online, I'll post! I am just overwhelmed with a million emotions. Mostly, that my children (especially my biracial daughter) will never grow up knowing any different. They will always believe that this was possible. OMG, the enormous moment in time that we are living is just surreal, isn't it? I took a picture of my daughter watching Obama take the oath and she was clapping watching him. I hope that my son's school allowed the kids to witness this moment.
Funny story. Yesterday was mine and dh's 13th anniversary. So dh got me flowers, we cooked good food all day, went out to dinner, and really celebrated with the kids. My son went to bed last night saying "this was the best Martin Luther King Day ever!" I didn't have the heart to tell him we were celebrating something different, because he was right, it was the best MLK day and I'm glad he thought so too.
Amazing Grace

[loveajax]

It's exciting, isn't it!!!

I had to work today and DD is at preschool. I am bummed that I missed the inauguration speech live.

We did go yesterday to an "open house" for MLK day at our local art museum. I can't say DD absorbed a lot of "culture" (she was too busy making a doll house in the crafts room!), but I was glad to start an annual "celebratory" thing to do on MLK Jr. Day.

I just said in another thread how cool it was that Inauguration Day followed right after MLK Jr. Day. I hadn't realized until I saw something recently that MLK Jr. would only be 80 right now...so young. I so wished he could have seen today.

[aclee]

What an amazing two days. Yesterday Tyler and his Daddy listened to I have a dream on youtube. A tradition I would like to continue. Today, Tyler and I watch Obama be sworn in and his speech while we ate some grilled cheese. It was a really nice lunch. I have to put into words what this day means so I can write it in his journal...

[lovemy2boys]

I was at lunch with Janeytwo from the forums and we kept glancing up at the tv while we were eating lunch and talking about how amazing it was...(Sorry Janey - I just outed you as a liberal )

We were leaving the restaurant as he was being sworn in, and when we went outside, Janey said "They're playing God Bless America" and as I stopped walking, I could hear the song in the chimes of the bells of the Catholic church next door.

I came home and DH and I watched President Obama give his speech (ok - about 10 minutes delayed, thanks to tivo...)

I have a friend on Facebook - she is very conservative (as are half of my friends, as well as 98% of the people at the kids' school/church).

Anyway, my friend tried to make waves on Facebook by saying some things about praying for Obama and wondering of "liberals" would be as generous had McCain won.

Several people, all conservatives from the kids' school, responded, saying that regardless of which side of the political spectrum you are on, we all need to put that aside and come together as a nation united, not divided...They said that they will stand by our new president, and all who follow...They said that they think Obama will be a good President who do right by the people. These were people who did NOT vote for the man, but who will stand behind him.
And it surprised me...and it made me cry...and it made me hopeful.

That is what today is for me. A day where Hope springs Eternal.

[SupaModel]

Amazing day. I just sat on the couch with our nanny and cried!! Can't believe we are actually here America!

[OakShannon]

It is truly an amazing day. It makes me feel so hopeful. The Sunday after the election, the children's choir sang at our church. Sixty African American children in their red choir robes held up hand-made Obama signs and sang, "I Am a Promise." I sobbed. (And I wasn't the only one.) This means so much for our country and so much for our children. I'm still trying to take it all in.

[aclee]

Originally Posted by OakShannon

It is truly an amazing day. It makes me feel so hopeful. The Sunday after the election, the children's choir sang at our church. Sixty African American children in their red choir robes held up hand-made Obama signs and sang, "I Am a Promise." I sobbed. (And I wasn't the only one.) This means so much for our country and so much for our children. I'm still trying to take it all in.

I'm almost crying READING that!

I worked today, but my boss called me all day long to share in the emotion. She shared at one point that her mother (60+ years old) had gotten DVR so she could record today. My boss grew up with her mother constantly telling her that this country should be ashamed because we would never elect a black or a woman president. That this country, as mighty as it was, was backward and small for how we treated people. That she was sorry never in her life time would she see a black man, or women take office. I guess her mother has been bawling her eyes out for 3 months, and wanted to record the events today because she was worried she would be crying so hard, she would miss something.

I've been crying all freaking DAY!

[nickchris]

Just a cool couple of days. :-) Yesterday, we attended a multi denominational, different races, and creeds in a symbolic MLK program. We finished the program with the song "We shall Overcome" The speaker elaborated on what MLK stood for, and said that the mantle is passing on. Guess who the mantle is being passed to? President Obama, nope more to it than one man.
My kids are home today, and they "cooked" for their party, while we listened to the pre inauguration stories, comments and such. They enjoyed dancing to Will.i.am "It’s a new Day"
Personally, I think today should not be about political affiliations, as this historical significance is tremendous. Even though I must add I am selling with pride of the caliber of this particular man who is now a part of our country's history.

[jjlutefisk]

We all watched the replay of the "I have a dream" speech. Today, I had a party with my friends to watch the swearing in together. We had a wonderful time talking and crying together. My two African American daughters will grow up in a different world because of today.

[lovemy2boys]

I was watching the news tonight, and they were on location at an elementary school in Detroit...The children were having their own Inaugural ball...

They were all dressed up and looked adorable!

The reporter was asking them why they were excited about President Obama, and the answers were SO cute!

One little girl wanted to know about his daughters because she was the same age as Malia, and she had a little sister as well...

One boy was glad because an African American was in office just like him...

Another child was excited because President obama will be able to bring hope to the people...

And one boy said that it was time we stopped the foolishness....

Gotta love our little ones...the future of America.

[SHD]

I watched the morning show on ABC today and Robin Roberts interviewed three gentlemen that are Tuskegee Airmen. They expressed what this day meant to them. Robin's father was also an Airman (he's passed away now) so you can only imagine her reaction to the interview, I was sobbing.

[jules17]

Oh, gosh - I have been a HOT MESS all day. Sobbing with joy.

I talked about it to our sons all day. Do they get it all? Of course not. But I told them anyway. And Sam was saying, "Go O-MAMA!!" (close counts, right?)

I am so emotional, and will likely continue to be. And as I said to my DH, our children will never know what growing up in a world where only white men have power is like.

I am SO PROUD to be an AMERICAN.

[keekee1006]

It just brings tears to my eyes every time I think about how far African-Americans have come in 40 years. I was talking to my Best Friend on Election night and told her when our kids are born the First African-American President will be in office; how amazing is that! I'm glad that I am out on leave from work until Thursday so that I was able to watch everything live today.

[nickchris]

LOL I loveyoung kid's perspectives.. stop this foolishness is right.

I just cried at, of all events, the first couple's dance.

Yes, I am really, really proud of America. As a Black woman, to look at my kids, and see my sons, and DD's reality, that the "ceiling" is not there anymore. As parents, DH and I will still speak of accountability, and hard work. However, this time we know in our hearts, that our kids can see, and have a shot at the American dream as any other citizen. What a symbolic moment.