I had the good fortune of watching the inauguration festivities yesterday with my two sons at their school. Their school invited families to attend a red, white and blue parade and celebration to watch the swearing in of our 44th president. Not only did we get to witness this historic event with our children, but with the school family at large. That is the essence of what community is all about. The school got it right.

The country got it right too. No matter for whom you voted (or if you chose to abstain), you could not watch the inaugaration yesterday and not be inspired and filled with hope. What a gift to share that with the American people in such a huge way, and with the world as well.

This is my same goal, on a smaller scale: to inspire and share hope one-on-one with each reader.

Last night I ended a day-long celebration by meeting with the St. James book club. I was exhausted, but immediately re-energized with the hope that filled the room, with the love we all share for our families as we talked through the complex relationships of the book, and with the gratitude they shared with me for writing the story. I was inspired all day.