A New Day: January 20, 2021

January 22, 2021

Way back during the Democratic primary, I asked my dad who he liked for president. He told me Biden. I didn't say anything, but thought to myself, "No way." In the debates, Biden seemed to me unenergetic, like he was just going through the motions. At the time, other candidates, like Buttigieg and Warren, my favorites, had the momentum.

Huh. Little did I know. Dad was right.

"You were right, dad." Some people think my dad even looks a little like Joe Biden.

And he wasn't only right about his choice of Biden as the winner; he was right that Biden was the right choice for the times. That became clear from the time Joe clinched the nomination, largely because of the support of African-American voters, through the presidential campaign, through the election and its aftermath, through his swearing in this week.

Joe Biden remained cool, addressing the issues, calling on the best in people. He was presidential. He didn't let himself get roped into all of Trump's drama. Biden has been through so much in his life: the death of his first wife and daughter, his long career as a senator, serving as vice president, the death of his son Beau. He has the perspective and the lack of self centeredness that age and suffering can bring.

His temperament and experience will serve us well as we confront the big problems staring us in the face: the pandemic, climate, the economy, health care, etc. Even before Biden took the oath of office, his administration radiated competence.

I watched Biden and Harris's inauguration today on my computer. As you can see, I dweebed out, taking photos of my computer screen. It was a beautiful, uplifting ceremony. The invocation was given by Fr. Leo O'Donovan. He mentioned the first Catholic bishop of the United States, John Carroll, in the prayer.

We are a people of many races, creeds and colors, national backgrounds, cultures and styles—now far more
numerous and on land much vaster than when Archbishop John Carroll wrote his prayer for the inauguration
of George Washington 232 years ago. Archbishop Carroll prayed that you, O Creator of all, would “assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to your people.” Today, we confess our past failures to live according to our vision of equality, inclusion and freedom for all. Yet we resolutely commit still more now to renewing the vision, to caring for one another in word and deed, especially the least fortunate among us, and so becoming a light the world can look to.There is a power in each and every one of us that lives by turning to every other one of us, a thrust of the spirit to cherish and care and stand by others, and above all those most in need. It is called love, and its path is to give ever more of itself.

Kind of neat that my husband and the first American Catholic bishop have the same name. I love how Father O'Donovan spoke of the power of love in his prayer. It truly is the animating force of the universe.

My John Carroll with dad

The election was historic as the first woman, African-American, and Asian-American, Senator Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president.

I love this shot of Vice President Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff watching the fireworks later that night, with the Lincoln memorial in the background.

In this week dedicated to Christian unity, President Biden uttered the word unity many times in his inaugural address. It was one of his major themes. As I listened to his speech, the phrase that jumped out at me was, "Unity is the path forward." It hearkens back to our national motto, e pluribus unum: out of many, one. Toward the end of his speech, President Biden said:

Together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity. Love and healing. Greatness and goodness. May this be the story that guides us. The story that inspires us. And the story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. Democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch, but thrived.

The entire day was a celebration, from Lady Gaga's powerful rendition of the national anthem to the wise word of the young inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman, who recited her creation, The Hill We Climb.

Here are the last lines of the beautiful poem:

When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it

The wonderful, spectacular, emotional capstone of the day was Katy Perry singing her song Firework in front of the Washington Monument. It was perfect for the moment. If you didn't see it, you can watch it here.

And, oh, the fireworks!