The best time to see the memorials in D.C. is at night. They are beautiful when lit up. I've been wanting to take the girls on a tour of all the memorials, but it was too hot in the summer to enjoy them. This night was perfect. The temperature was around 70. We left just before sunset and the breeze was just picking up. Someone was taking advantage of that breeze by flying a rather unusual kite near the Washington Monument. As we drove near the National Mall, Anne yelled, "There's a dementor." Indeed, it did look like these creatures from the Harry Potter universe that suck all hope out of those near them had taken over the Nation's Capital.

Rather than going to the large statue of Lincoln sitting in a chair, Clare walked directly to the Second Inaugural Address and found the words she had memorized. It truly is a beautiful speech. The night before she had practiced the speech while we walked our dog and we talked about the meaning of the words. It is striking to think of the Civil War as a punishment for the sin of slavery. Lincoln reflects that God may will that "every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword."