Most of America stopped working; eating; talking today to watch with pride this historic occasion in our nation’s capital. What an incredible sight – seeing over 1.5 million, possibly even 2 million people sharing in the peaceful transition of power from one President to another.

There were so many special moments: some moving, some humorous but mostly reverent: To name but a few…

Pastor Warren in his Inaugural Invocation spoke of inclusiveness and of the historic nature of this occasion:

“Today we celebrate the hinge point of history in the inauguration of the first African-American president of the United States, a land of unequal possibility where the son of an African immigrant can rise to highest leadership,”

Aretha Franklin’s velvet voice delivering a gorgeous rendering of ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ with such majesty – oh that hat – just fabulous!

Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill and Gabriella Montero played a beautiful piece composed by John Williams – easy on the ears, enjoyed by all.

The Inaugural Poem by Elizabeth Alexander, a Pulitzer Prize finalist – a  moving poem talking not only about love but of national resolve:

‘We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, “I need to see what’s on the other side; I know there’s something better down the road.”

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.’And of course Chief Justice Roberts – his first inauguration swearing in – stumbling slightly in the beginning of the oath, thus creating a bit of a muddle with the word faithfully. But it all worked out and we now have our 44th president of this great country.

I hope you watched with your friends, co-workers or family. Today was truly an historic event. Something we should all feel proud to have witnessed and been a part of.