The day started early – kids testing at 2 schools before a usual day even begins. Before coffee. One ran late, I worried I wouldn’t get the next there on time. Exhale.
An outgoing President (ab)using his powers to the end. Not even attending his successor’s inauguration. Selfish and living in his altered reality still. But he left a note. Exhale.
A woman sworn in as Vice President of the United States of America. A woman of color. The first. WOMAN. Exhale.
A man sworn in as President of the United States of America. Our oldest yet, but true. Honest, empathetic, present. A man who’s endured personal tragedy one would never wish upon their greatest foe. Spent his career in our nation’s halls of democracy. Third time’s a charm. #46. Exhale.
No violence. No protests. No bloodshed. No shouting. No fighting. No casualties. Exhale.
Hope for tomorrow. Breath for tomorrow. A sense of a future we can believe in again. A sense of a future of respect and unity. A sense of a future of pride. A long road ahead for certain, but one that now feels walkable. A sense of a future. Period. Exhale.
My eyes burn by the end of the night. Heavy from verging on tears all day. Tears of stress; then joy, relief, hope. Heavy from exhaustion. Exhaustion from the release of the weight of the past years that I had no idea was even affecting me. Heavy from being on edge all day waiting for something to happen. Heavy from being relieved beyond belief that it never did. Heavy from fully realizing the importance of this day for not just me but for my children. They can do anything. Exhale.
Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow dawns bright. Exhale.
1-20-21. Biden Harris. Exhale.
