I didn’t want to watch the historic inauguration of Obama with my toddler in my living room. I wanted to be surrounded by people. I wanted to have a sense of what different sectors of the community were feeling and tap into that feeling. After all, I watched Barack Obama accept the Democratic Nomination for the presidency surrounded by people who had a sense of the moment in history pero also how much work we still needed to do.

WhatZup! A community organization of residents in and around Lefrak City in Corona, Queens hosted an inauguration watch party inside St. Paul, the Apostle Roman Catholic Church. I grew up in Corona, Queens and had my first sleepovers inside the huge Lefrak City housing complex. I walked 15 minutes in the cold pero was greeted and welcomed by warm people.

The audience was wonderful. People dressed in Obama tee shirts and hats in front of a big projected image on the far end of a church auditorium. A few booed whenever the NY1 coverage showed Bush senior and Bush Jr. The Clintons got a warm round of applause. Sasha and Malia and the now first Lady Michelle Obama, who looked stunning I thought, practically recieved a standing ovation. The loudest applause, of course was reserved for now President Obama.

Quite a number of families kept their children home from school, and in hindsight, I wish I had kept my older daughter home too.

I admit I cried after Obama was sworn in. It was hard not to with such enthusiasm surrounding me.

Gracias to WhatzUp! and St. Paul’s Church for being such gracious hosts.