What Moves You?

I remember January 20, 2009 like it was yesterday.  I was at work and we were all crowded around the TV to watch Obama being sworn in.  I had missed the memo that he was swearing in on Lincoln’s Bible until moments before it was happening.  Watching Obama put his hand on Lincoln’s Bible was the socio-political experience I didn’t know I needed.  I needed to witness that particular demonstration.  I needed to see that black man being ushered into the very same position as the president who freed the slaves.  Obama’s hand.  Lincoln’s hand.  The same Bible. I cried.

Most of my co-workers were dry-eyed.  One of my co-workers looked shocked by my tears. I was wondering why everyone wasn’t moved in the same way.  You didn’t have to be a Democrat to recognize that that moment was like nothing else we’ve ever seen in the Presidency. Bueller?  Bueller? 

Is the thought that we can all be united if just for a moment too idealistic?  I understand that our bitter partisanship has divided us like nobody’s business.  Not much has changed in the years since Obama’s first inauguration.  But I would like to know if we are free enough to be moved by anything that lies outside our own purview.  If so, please share with me what moves you.