My niece was an intern on the Hill - She was fortunate enough to get a job there, and she called this morning as she waited in line with the thousands of others waiting to personally be part of history.

I felt I was standing with her - I was filled with pride.

Lots of tears during this morning - Aretha Franklin's voice showing that the Queen on Soul can rock out patriotic songs - Yoyo Ma and Itzak Perlman and co. WOWing the world with their grace and the fun looking at Ma as he played with his soul as he looked at Perlman like they were jamming in a garage instead of serenading the world.

The looks of the faces of all colors, ethnicities, philosophies together as one. Oh what a wonderful sight -

Mr. Obama's speech was amazing - no blaming, no insults - just a call to have every American do their part to help make America what it once was - made me hear in back of my mind Kennedy's 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' But it was more - a call to arms to take responsibility to never let others go ungoverned that caused so much finanacial pain, and made me want to stand up and roll up my sleeves and say - let's go!

A call to our world friends and enemies that the country is still great and will be better than ever and the adversities upon us we will be triumph!

The American history has changed so by so many peoples' sacrifices - willing to go to jail for the cause of equality and freedom, even to die, regardless of if the cause they fought for was their cause. They participated because it was the right thing to do. Because of the actions of our brothers and sisters of the past, our lives have been changed forever. Most do not think in terms of black or white, but who can help us be the best we can.

When my niece called this morning, well, maybe, just maybe, I was a wee bit jealous that I wasn't there with her, but hearing the sounds around her through her cell phone, well, I was there for a few minutes.

Whether in person or on television, we were all part of history. I felt hope, pride, and as a second generation American, I know my grandparents are smiling at the continuation of their hopes as they came through Ellis Island, seeing the Statue of Liberty - it was the same audacity of hope we feel today.

God bless us all - and God bless America!

ellen george