LEWISTON – As new President Barack Obama urged Americans to “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,” Susan McFarland gripped her daughter’s hand and cried.

“This is a new era,” she said after the speech. “Things can change.”

The Windham woman and her daughter, Natasha, stopped at Simones Hot Dog Stand Tuesday morning for lunch. They were recording the presidential inauguration at home, but as soon as they saw the little TV in the corner of the luncheonette, they decided to stay.

Seeing it live would mean so much more.

As the noon crowd filled Simones’, some customers stood to watch the TV. Others sat, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the news coverage. McFarland and her daughter abandoned their seats at the lunch counter and ducked around the corner to a free booth with a better view.

The lunch crowd greeted Obama’s short swearing-in happily but matter-of-factly.

“There he is. Done. Congratulations,” said owner Jimmy Simones.

Obama’s speech, though, brought out greater emotions, especially for McFarland and her daughter.

At their corner booth, McFarland leaned forward and nodded as the new president spoke of of past generations, of greatness earned, of the promise of America’s future.

“This is the journey we continue today,” Obama said.

The speech went on and McFarland began to cry. As Obama talked of struggle and sacrifice, McFarland’s daughter passed her a clutch of napkins and gripped her hand. They stayed hand-in-hand for the rest of the address.

“We’re just looking forward to seeing what the future holds,” McFarland said afterward. “It’s going to be scary and exciting all at the same time.”