Reply #4: I was at home - with CSPAN on

[karynnj]

watching - interrupted by good calls from one daughter who had gone down to DC on a bus from her MA college. They had no tickets, but did get in at the back of the mall. They left late on Monday and the bus took them to a Maryland train (I think metro) station. They managed to get a nice space later on the parade route (by luck) that they were at for a couple of hours. They had an incredible day. They got to wave to the Obama family as they passed - and were thrilled that Malia (sp?) waved back at them.

It was also interrupted by her older sister, who needed me to fax copies of my insurance card (same policy as hers) because she forgot to bring her insurance card. This happened shortly after noon - while Obama was taking the oath.

But, the entire day was incredible and it was hard to believe that it was really here and what I was seeing was real. The entire Obama family was awesome. (I really think that they could become like the Kennedys were in 1960. I know it sounds dumb, but the American people will see this young couple and their darling kids - and it will be harder to demonize him.)

His speech was intelligent and I hope that we (and he) will be able to live up to it. It was so good seeing the smiles on Kennedy, Kerry and Gore. (Kerry looked years younger than he did 4 years ago in many of the glimpses of him on the podium. He really looked happy and relaxed.)

The only sad note was Kennedy - but the positive side of that is that he did make it to that day - and he was beaming every time the camera captured him - and he is supposedly going to be able to return to the Senate.