Inauguration Day 2013 and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Wow, a lot to celebrate and honor on this momentous day. Celebrating the life and contributions of Dr. King and welcoming with open arms the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama II.

So many changes in one lifetime. I am so excited that my parents and my grandmother lived to see the first black president of the United States of America. These are the same folks who walked with and fought for equal rights with Dr. King. Can you imagine their joy and jubilation? They were trying to eek out their existence during those days of riots and hosing on the streets of Alabama.

I had to interview my grandmother four years ago when President Obama won. She was so giddy that she reminded me of a school girl. She did not think that it would happen during her lifetime, but was delighted that it did. See, my grandmother's parents were share croppers. With my great-grandparents entering this world just after the Emancipation Proclamation. My grandmother being the eldest of the 14 children they bore, felt her brunt of discrimination and had to endure segregation and separate but equal. My grandmother, Osia, is the first in line. Only four of the seven sisters are still alive. The last brother passed a couple of years ago.

The times are still a-changing. We have come a long way but still have a long way to go.  Deep seated hatred still exists in this world, not just in the USA. If we continue to lift each other up and respect and love and care for one another, we have no other choice but to continue to move forward.

I am so proud of our President. I am praying for his health and safety as he navigates us through another four years. I admire and respect his loyalty and integrity and the dignity with which he carries out his duties.

Well done, Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief, Barack Hussein Obama II.
Until then.