The Inauguration: Watching and Learning Together
/I have been asked if our family will watch the inauguration.
Yes.
Wait! Before you decide to click off this post thinking I am about to get political, I encourage you to read on.
This post is about relationships.
My brother and I waited in anticipation as Grammy turned the knob on the television. One click, fuzzy white. Another click, more fuzz. One more click and there it was, the Inauguration. People lined streets, flags waving. Bands were playing. The date was January 20, 1973.
This was the day we waited for; the day we would spend at Grammy’s watching the inauguration of Richard Nixon.
We didn’t really understand the scope of the meaning behind an inauguration.
What we did know was we loved spending time with Grammy.
Leading up to the day, she talked about my Grandfather’s service in the military. We walked the memorial park near her house. She put a flag out on her porch. We could tell from our discussions and her actions that Inauguration day was important. Grammy made us curious. And, we loved our time with her.
As for any celebration, Grammy purchased snacks, snacks we could eat while watching the event. Having not seen an inauguration before, my brother and I had lots of questions. There was security in knowing Grammy would be seating next to us in the living room—knitting needles clicking away—eager to answer any questions. She was so patient.
It would be a day together, watching and learning.
Tomorrow at the Bastian home, we will watch the Inauguration day events. Not because we agree with everything that has been said or everything that has happened. But because we are an American family who is grateful for our nation and the process by which we elect leaders. Tomorrow, we will be watching and learning together.
There will be questions; likely lots of questions since we have littles who have never witnessed an Inauguration. I will know some answers, others we will have to research together. We will learn tidbits of trivia, nuggets of history, and have discussions. Some of the children and young adults will likely share thoughts, ideas they are processing.
And, we will have snacks.
It will be a day of learning together, watching and listening.
Helpful resources and places to find answers
- Watch footage and coverage of past inaugurations.
- Read a biography. Our littlest learners have enjoyed The Picture Book of series by David A. Adler, president biographies in the Random House Step Up book series, Garrard Publishing Company's Discovery biographies, and Childhood of Famous American biographies. Biographies in the Signature series have invited my older learners into history.
- Visit https://kids.usa.gov/.
- Visit https://bensguide.gpo.gov/
