Inauguration Day: Part V (4-Way Vinyl Poncho)

So, what do I say that hasn’t already been said about the inauguration. Yes, it was cold, numbingly cold, and I dearly wished I had hand warmers with me (silly me, I thought Security wouldn’t allow them). And yes, Aretha’s hat was fabulous, and I want one just like it.

The music, the oaths, Obama’s speech - it was all worth the wait. The air was electric with excitement and anticipation, and exploded when Justice Roberts congratulated Obama as “Mr President.” Individuals in the crowd jumped into the air, cheering, laughing, crying, celebrating what such a short time ago in our history had seemed impossible. Others hugged and danced. Everyone smiled. I get goosebumps just remembering it all.

My story, however, is about a tarp - a cheap, plastic, yellow tarp. If you will remember from my entry Inauguration Day: Part III, I had squeezed this tarp/raincoat in my coat pocket in the event of inclement weather. Since it wasn’t raining, we used it as a floor covering to sit on during our long wait before the ceremony. Now, this thin piece of plastic was never meant for this kind of abuse, and was already starting to show its wear by developing small rips, although it was still serviceable.



Right before the ceremony started, a woman asked if she could borrow the tarp, as she was feeling a bit unwell and wanted to sit on it. We said, “of course,” and handed her the tarp; at this point we were standing, waiting for the ceremony to begin. As the crowd shifted and swelled we lost sight of the woman, and I assumed we would never see that tarp again. I was wrong. Somehow she later found us, and made sure she returned it to us, with the appropriate thank you. Now, that tarp, as a tarp, was worthless, but her gesture was priceless. She so wanted to make sure she returned our property and thanked us.

That’s what that crowd was like that day, something I don’t think television could catch. Everyone felt so privileged and honored to be there, and I have never seen such joy and good will toward others as I did that day. Everyone was cold and uncomfortable, and it didn’t matter. I didn’t worry about pickpockets or stampedes, and I don’t think anyone else did either. Somehow we all sensed that this crowd, this moment, was unlike anything we had ever experienced, or would experience, and for those hours we were friends who would watch out for one another. Corny? Yes. But also true. Later I learned that there wasn’t a single arrest made that day. Two million people were on their very best behavior in extremely challenging physical conditions. And why not? We had waited hours - no, for some it was generations, for this moment.

We threw away the tarp; it had served its purpose admirably and had seen better days. What I will never throw away is the memory of a woman who didn’t want us to think she would steal from us. Instead, she gave us a gift - a memory I will always treasure.

Lillian

Inaugural Program: http://inaugural.senate.gov/media/releases/release-12172008-inauguralwebsite.cfm