What a day to be an American

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right.

Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.

AUDIENCE: Amen!

REV. LOWERY: Say amen --

AUDIENCE: Amen!

REV. LOWERY: -- and amen.

AUDIENCE: Amen! (Cheers, applause.)

END.

The television has been on since 7am. Thirteen hours of coverage and we're not done yet. The Inaugural Balls are still to come. What will Michelle wear? Will she and Barack dance more than a waltz? Get a little funky? I really hope so.

A generous neighbor opens her house to any who want to watch the inauguration en masse. Tears intermittently all day, especially listening to my African American fellow citizens talk emotionally about how meaningful this day is, not only to them but to the legacy of their parents and grandparents who fought hard for civil rights, never daring to believe in our lifetimes, there would be an African American U.S. president.

The bloom will be off the rose tomorrow as we, especially Barack Obama, have to get down to the hard tasks at hand, But today, I'm indulging in what feels like a holiday. Lots of phone calls, not much work getting done, ate too much, had champagne before noon.