On Martin Luther King Jr. day, I did not do any particular action of service. Unless, you count making breakfast for my family, grandparents included. However, every year when this day comes around, I can't help but think about the experience I had on this day a few years back.
It was my senior year in high school and Obama had just been elected president. A couple of years before I had participated in National Youth Leadership Conferences, and the same organization invited me to the inauguration. Because it was such a historical moment, I went without any hesitation. Martin Luther King day just happened to be during the inauguration, and spending that day in the National Mall was such a powerful sight. I don't think I have ever seen unity like I saw that day. U2 was there singing "in the name of love." A song that was actually inspired by Martin Luther King himself. I also, very distinctly, remember an interracial couple, walking, holding hands, singing "this land is your land, this land is my land." Everyone there was singing along, and it really was beautiful.
Thinking back at it now, its amazing how the inaugural ceremonies coincided with Martin Luther King day. It's almost cosmic in a way, serendipitous, like it was meant to be.
