Lynn family will be living history at Obama inaugural

LYNN – A Lynn family is departing this evening for Washington, D.C. to watch history being made as the first African-American is sworn in as the nation’s 44th president.Josette Patterson, who is the billing and contract manager for the Greater Lynn YMCA, said she didn’t think she’d see a black man elected president during her lifetime.?I never thought I’d live to see this day.” she said. “We have tickets to see history being made. I’m very excited. I think the whole event will be very welcoming and very loving. I hope I get a chance to see him (Obama).”As excited as Josette is, she said she believes her daughter Nykeza Patterson, 15, an eighth-grader at KIPP Academy in Lynn, is more excited about the trip than she is.?She was so into the presidential election this year,” Josette said. “She stayed up and watch the results come in on election night. I dozed off and she woke me up when she yelled when Obama was declared the winner.”Nykeza, who has been to Washington. D.C. before, said she is very excited she has the opportunity to attend the inauguration. She said she hopes to catch a glimpse of Obama and possibly one of her other favorite celebrities as well.?I’m really happy about it,” Nykeza said. “It’s my first time seeing a president in real life. I would like to be a politician. I’m very into politics and like to debate a lot. I hope I get a chance to see my idol Oprah (Winfrey) too.”Josette said her family will use a tour company for the trip to Washington D.C., which was a Christmas gift for her daughter.?I tried so hard to keep it a surprise,” she said. “But she found out. She is so excited. I told Nykeza this is something she can tell her children and her children’s children about.”Josette said her mother, her sister and a couple of cousins are making the trip with them, but her husband is unable to attend.?My husband got all six of us Barack Obama long sleeved t-shirts,” she said. “We’re all going to wear those. We bought Snuggies (blankets with sleeves) for the trip, snacks and I think we’re prepared.”Josette said the extended family is prepared for the long bus ride and prepared to stand in the cold for hours.?I just hope I don’t have to go to the bathroom a lot,” she said. “The one thing I’m dreading is standing in line at port-a-potties and having to take layers and layers of clothes off to use the bathroom.”