Tayari's Blog: 44

Posted by TayariJones on January 20, 2009 05:24 PM
Filed under Current Events

He'll Wake Up To A New World

I won't say that it was fun. I got up around 5:30 am, dressed in layers and braved the cold. All my friends managed to score VIP tickets to the inauguration, so I braved the mall solo-- just one lone person among the millions. There were no signs and every cop sent me in a different direction. I know I walked three miles and in between I stood in lines that went nowhere. On the plus side, strangers were very kind, letting me join their groups and sharing hand-warmers and candy bars. One woman, seeing my numb-foot hobble, gave me a pair of nice wool socks. By 12:00, I had been out in the cold for five hours. Cell phones weren't working and I was so cold and dejected that I was in tears-- which promptly FROZE on my eyelashes.

Then, just as Barak Obama was taking his oath, I looked over and saw this sweet little boy asleep on his father's shoulders, completely content, confident and secure in the world.

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There are 3 comments on "44". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by ReggieH [TypeKey Profile Page]

What a wonderful photo! You are a lot braver than I to be in DC today: We had a great time over the weekend, but left town Sunday night.

January 20, 2009 07:43 PM

Comment #2, by Lilika [TypeKey Profile Page]

Tayari,
You are so inspiring to me. I want to thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. I would I think have gone for the Green Ball. I hope you get to check out some museums while you are there in DC !! You've inspired some poetry. Thank you thank you thank you. I have been so cold for so long.

January 21, 2009 01:50 PM

Comment #3, by ericbeaumont [TypeKey Profile Page]

Yesterday I thought of you all day, estimable author. What a brilliant photograph of that little boy and his dad, and what an exquisite description. You make life exciting, Tayari Jones.

January 21, 2009 01:55 PM

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