Mom-In Chief Steals The Show, Again.

“My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it –

so long as we seize it together,” Barack Obama.

 

As I struggle to help my daughter Sari understand the U.S. Constitution for her 8^th grade homework assignment, at least the words “We the People” makes better sense to me now, thanks to yesterday’s inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44^th president. Indeed, it was a great day to be American as our first African American president was sworn in for his second term. I wrote about his inauguration four years ago, and this time around was just as special.

It coincided with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the 150^th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves, the sesquicentennial year of the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the new Capitol Dome in 1863, and a day off of school. If that isn’t reason enough for our kids to watch television all day long and witness a history lesson, I don’t know what is.  Obama placed his hand on the personal bibles of the Rev. King and his predecessor Abraham Lincoln when he  take the oath of office. The significance of it all was palatable.

The only thing that pulled me away from the TV momentarily was to sort cantaloupes and carrots at the Jewish Food Pantry with Sari and to take my son to a dermatologist appointment. Other than that, I was glued to the pomp and circumstances of the 57th presidential inauguration and tweeted about my favorite moments, including the memorable performances of Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor, who all made me weep at their renditions of American classics, and later that night I applauded Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder, who brought down the house and made me wish that I didn’t have to wait another four years for a presidential bash.

With a revitalized focus on civil rights that includes equality for everyone, including the gay and lesbian community, women, and immigrants, our country seemed to have come full circle, at least for the moment.

Aside from the controversial politics that were stirred up in Obama’s powerful 19-minute speech, which hit on many hot topics, such as economic competitiveness, gun control, and climate change, I was star struck by the pageantry of this well orchestrated event themed “Faith in America’s Future.” Then again, I felt the same way about the hyped-up American Idol finale and The Grammy Awards. The only difference is that this government gala was witnessed worldwide, required a lot more security, and was historically significant. Obviously.

The fashion, the speeches, the parade, the music, and, yes, the bangs, turned Washington D.C. into Hollywood for one night. The sight of a million mini red-white-and-blue flags waving in the crowd at National Mall rivaled any movie set and even gave pause to the President, who stopped in his tracks to take it all in for the last time.

I didn’t want to miss a thing, beginning with the first swearing-in on Sunday that went by faster than the time it took me to ice my cinnamon buns for breakfast. When President Obama placed his hand on the massive bible that belonged to Michelle’s grandmother and took the 35-word oath of office in a private ceremony, I was relieved that nobody flubbed any lines. I wasn’t the only one. Even his youngest daughter Sasha commented to her dad, “Good job Daddy. You didn’t mess up.”

The First Lady dressed conservatively in a royal blue dress and cardigan by American designer Reed Krakoff, which led up to the next day’s wildly anticipated fashion show that had even anchorman Brian Williams on the edge of his seat. Indeed, not since the days of Jackie O has style been in the spotlight, and Mrs. O did not disappoint when she appeared in a Thom Browne collarless blue checked fit-and-flare coat that she cinched at the waist with her signature J. Crew accessory. Her outfit was inspired by a men’s silk tie that supposedly coordinated with her husband’s blue suit, which I admittedly paid no attention to. On the other hand, their daughters Sasha, 11, and Malia, 15, caught everyone’s eyes sporting their own youthful, yet maturing, look in shades of periwinkle and violet.

Finally, the climax of the day was the unveiling of THE ball gown worn by Mom-in-Chief, also known as FLOTUS, (First Lady of The United States), in case you can’t keep up with all these acronyms.

She wore a ruby red velvet gown with halter top and chiffon overlay designed by… drumroll….Jason Wu, who also made  her 2009 inaugural dress and skyrocketed into fashion fame.

Obama, introduced his wife: “She inspires me everyday and makes me a better man and a better president…Some may dispute the quality of our president, but nobody disputes the quality of my better half.”

 

 

And when the first couple danced to “Let’s Stay Together,” serenaded by the impeccable Jennifer Hudson, I felt inspired. Inspired to dance more often with my husband. Inspired to try bangs again. Inspired to dig out my Al Green’s Greatest Hits album. Inspired to be more patriotic. Inspired to do my part to make our country great.

So, now that the party’s over, let’s get to work.

Here’s a way to get started.