I just can’t get excited about the upcoming inauguration of our 44th president.  Maybe it’s because I am tired of hearing about it. Every news station in our local area is the Inauguration Station or Inauguration Headquarters. It’s all they report. Road closures, Metro schedules, etc… It’s all too much.  I don’t remember any inaugurationwith as many events. I know this is a  historic inauguration. I have been trying to ignore that, but can’t.  Yesterday, I saw the President-Elect speaking to a crowd in Baltimore. As he spoke, the camera panned out over the crowd and I saw people with tears streaming down their faces. Many had huge smiles and looks of immense pride.  It got me to thinking about my former students at Mercer County Community College’s Adult Basic Education program.  My oldest student was in her 60’s and from Liberia. I had many students from Africa who came to the US to make a better life for themselves and their families. I had single mothers working towards a GED so they could provide for their children. I had single fathers who were learning how to be dads. Some of my students were ex-convicts trying to better themselves and show others that they were better than the crimes they committed.  I can only imagine how they must feel to see a man who looks like them become the next president.  How proud they must feel. What a difference it can make in their own lives to challenge them to rise above.  How awesome for them to be able to tell their children and grandchildren that they can be anything they want. No limitations.  I am a not a fan of the incoming president, however, if  we as a country can come together because of this historic inauguration I am all for it.  My best friend in preschool was Corey.  She was black, but there was no significance.  Her mom made the best grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and we had a great time.  I have always tried to see a person for who they are and not for the color of their skin.  As I have gotten older it sometimes is harder especially in certain areas of the country.  I don’t like feeling like this and my thoughts always go back to my students. I was this little white girl in the ‘hood and they accepted me and I accepted them.  It is my hope that we can come together as a country and forget about party and forget about race.  We must work together because after all we are Americans first.