Stopping to breathe

Everything stopped. With no plan, with no organization, we were dawn by our silent inner voices. Our need at this time, above all others, to be part of a group. We gathered in the lobby--doctors, nurses, office staff, and patients. We filled the chairs, leaned against the walls, and sat crossed legged on the floor. Our eyes glued to the TV on the wall, we watched history unfold.

In dead silence we watched our new President take the oath of office. Then 5….10…15…seconds of silence. A collective sigh of relief.

The page of history had turned.

At once we broke out into an explosion of cheers, whoops, high-fives, bear hugs, and applause. A good time to be alive.

We listened, in rapture, to his acceptance speech. Previous generations can tell you where they where when they found out that Pearl Harbor was bombed, where they were when man landed on the moon, and one of us can ever forget where we where when the twin towers fell.

I will always remember where I was when history changed course this time. With my friends… my colleagues… my family at the clinic. Witnessing history. Together.