OBAMA'S IMAGE DOMINATES A SEA OF PEOPLE NEAR THE REFLECTING POOL, NEAR THE CAPITOL BUILDING...

Yeah, I was there...but not close enough to get a good photograph of the man of the hour. The sea of people doesn't begin to convey the compassion, humaneness, and cheerfullness that was experienced by everyone. Almost two million people gathered to witness history! Shoulder to shoulder, it was a love-in like none ever seen anywhere on earth. When this photo was taken, Barack was giving his speech following the swearing-in ceremony. It was bitter cold, but the warmth of his words brought tears to the eyes of many in the massive crowd. I was separated from everyone, as were most of our students. Yet, we were part of everyone--collectively in awe of what transpired on November 4, 2008. That awe extended itself to January 20, 2009!