I wrote this on the morning of Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021…

Stomach can begin to unknot.
Holding of breath can release.
Hope can return.
Pride starts to fill me again.
Four years is a long time to have felt emotionally and physically ill.

On this date in 2009, I watched our first black president take his first oath of office. I felt proud that we had appeared to move forward a bit from some aspects of racism that has gripped our country for centuries. I felt like there could now be healing from the challenges of the W. Bush years. I was energized and hopeful.

I feel that way again today.

Thank you and good luck to PRESIDENT Joe Biden and VICE PRESIDENT Kamala Harris.