I am overjoyed to be living in America on this day. It is fitting that the inauguration tomorrow follows today, Martin Luther King Day.

Today I had lunch with a group of people and our general topic of discussion was our joy at being able to experience this day in history. Several discussed their experience of seeing the schools integrated and what they felt then and now. One related the story of his father, who was a U.S. Marshal during the time of riots. His Father's neck was broken during one in Louisiana and he related how he regretted his Father had not lived to see this day. Another told of growing up in rural Tennessee and his father proudly predicting that during his son's lifetime he would see a black president. He went further and said he had not believed his Dad's prediction. The group was all white and I find it exhilarating that this group of white southerners would be celebrating the election of a black president.

We also talked about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his work. One made the statement that sometimes people have to die so that others might enjoy freedom. A saddening and grim fact, but true regardless.

We are living in an era that will go down in history and become as studied, as revered as any time in our history and I for one am honored to be a part of it.