Inauguration

Dear Dad,

Yesterday would have made you very happy. You would have enjoyed Biden’s Inauguration. I know how much you wanted him to be president. Five years ago, you were disappointed when he opted not to run for president. You were upset because you thought the DNC had discouraged him. “It’s a woman’s turn,” you told me. “The Democrats put a black man in office and now they want to champion a woman.” Maybe you were right. If that’s the case, they made a mistake. Hillary was too flawed. During the early days of the primary last year, we bickered over who should get the nomination. From day one you supported Biden. I thought he was too centrist, not nearly progressive enough. In the end, I voted for him. How could I not? It wasn’t even an option. He had to win. And despite the fact that he wasn’t my first choice, or my second, or even my third, ultimately, at this moment in time, he is probably the best man for the job. After the abuse America suffered under Trump, we need a leader who is compassionate and kind. 

I wonder how you would feel about Kamala Harris being the vice-president. After the debate in which she went after him regarding his position on busing years ago, you didn’t like her. You were angry at her for being so vocal. So forceful. But Biden chose her as his running mate, therefore, he must have forgiven her. He must have seen something vital and necessary in her fiery spirit. I think, if you were here, you too would have cheered the election of our first female vice-president.

Before Biden was sworn in Jennifer Lopez sang “This Land is Your Land.” The moment they announced her, I started to cry. I know how much you liked her, and knowing you weren’t here to listen made me sad.

During Biden’s speech, he paused for a moment of silence, a moment to pray for all the COVID victims. By then I was balling. G3 looked over at me and rolled his eyes. It doesn’t take much to get the tears rolling and he loves to make fun of me for it. But the prayer was touching. Though my faith has slipped greatly these last ten months, I appreciated it. It means a great deal that Biden cared enough to think of you. Of course if you were here, I might not even have noticed the moment of silence. 

After the inauguration, I read an article that said Biden replaced Andrew Jackson’s portrait in the Oval Office with Ben Franklin. I remember when Trump hung the picture of Jackson. G3 was only seven, but he and I had discussed the Trail of Tears enough that he knew Jackson was a bad guy. “If Trump likes him, that means Trump is going to be a bad guy too,” G3 observed. I think we all thought that. We — you, me, mom — knew he was going to be horrible. Four thousand Native Americans died on the Trail of Tears. A massive human tragedy. But I don’t think any of us thought Trump would end up killing 100 times that many people through his lies, neglect, and incompetence. And we certainly never even imagined that you would be among them. Now, Biden has switched out the villain for your all time favorite American. When I read the article, I reached for my phone. I so wanted to tell you. But before my fingers touched it I remembered that you are no longer here. Do you remember when you first told G3 that Ben Franklin was your favorite American? He got so upset. At the time he was maybe four years old. “Grandpa,” he scolded you. “I’m American. And I’m your favorite person. So I have to be your favorite American.” You couldn’t argue with his logic and when you assured him he was right he smiled and fell into your arms for a hug. 

I miss you!