Seeing Barack

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, I joined about 1,800 other Golden-ites at the new recreation center at the School of Mines to see Barak Obama.  As a volunteer in his campaign, I had a ticket.  The program started off with our minister giving the invocation.  Then Golden Mayor Jacob Smith spoke.  He said that Barak Obama’s 2004 speech had inspired  him to go into public serivce.  And then he said that as the mayor of a small town in the US, he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t tapped to be a VP candidate!  Denver Mayor Hickenlooper made some comments as did Governor Ritter.  Then former US Senator Frederico Pena talked…. and then a small non-descript woman about my age took the podium.

She talked about how she lost her job at Merrill Lynch and got another job, not quite as good.  She said her daughter also lost a job at Merrill Lynch and spoke about her grandchildren….very real, very touching sentiments.  And then she introduced Sen. Obama.  It was such a genuine, everywoman moment that I got a tear in my eye…and I don’t think I was the only one.  No millionairess in pearls and diamond earrings to introduce the candidate, just an ordinary person with problems caused by today’s financial climate in the US….so real.

Sen. Obama was poised and articulate and I felt like he spoke right to me, in terms I could understand.  He emphasized that we need 21st century policies for 21st century problems.  He mentioned Sen. McCain only to contrast their programs…never stooped to slander or any malicious comment.  He seemed warm and sincere…and he energized all of us there to get out and work hard to get him elected…..so he can address the issues that face us, the ordinary people with today’s problems.

Years Ago

He had probably barely hit the last key on his computer when 28 years fell away.  My son’s instant message took me right back to when he was about five years old and I was a graduate student.  He said the campus looks different now from the way it looked when I used to take him with me to class.  In my mind, I saw his blond hair and watched those blue eyes take in every scene  as we strolled across the campus to the cafeteria or my professor welcomed him to the class….halycon days of loving him and having him close.  My heart felt squeezed….and the tears were right below the gulp in my throat.

Life Lessons

Things I have learned….would have been nice to learn these a little earlier in life!…..but now is a good time.

*  Don’t undervalue myself.  It’s easy to discount our skills and talents and not demand the proper attention and reward for those.  I know what I know and I won’t go back to thinking I’m somehow less or inferior in any way.  And as women, we may have to fight to keep our value in the upcoming election!

*  I’m fine the way I am.  My mother used to say “Why can’t you get all A’s like Billy?  And you’re not as witty and funny as Sandy.” And for years, I’m sorry to say, I wished to be like other people.  I don’t know when I figured out that I’m fine just being me but I do like the sense of ease that comes with it!

*  No more being “injured.”  I do believe that there were times when I chose to be hurt when none was intended.  I don’t want to be injured anymore so I won’t interpret anyone’s actions as an effort to do that.  This also involves accepting people just as they are and not attaching any drama or undue importance to their words and actions.

*  Don’t take it personally.  It seems to me that about 98% of all conversation is “throw away.”  We chat with each other and most conversations don’t have any more meaning than the ones with the cashiers at Safeway.  So taking every word or tone or look personally is a waste of time…and I wish I had taken business and professional issues less personally, too.  Big companies make decisions all the time and I did not need to think of each of those as personally impacting me.

* I don’t need control.  I can’t control everything and truthfully, it’s a huge responsibility to try to!  So I focus on myself and stay in the moment.  It makes for fewer worry lines in my face and relaxed grey matter…probably helps my heart, too.  And I often have to remind myself that monopolizing the conversation is a form of control!

* Everybody deserves another chance.  When I think back on dumb things I’ve done, I’m always grateful that people gave me another chance.  Forgetting and forgiving is probably another way to say this.  It’s easier to go through life without the weight of a grudge bearing down on me….and I’m the only one who can be responsible for this….sometimes an apology is involved.

*  Others.  Well, there must be lots of other lessons I’ve learned …. but the greatest lesson of all is gratitude.  I’m so grateful for everything I’ve been through and experiences that have brought me to today….and I know more lessons await!

That Time of the Year

Officially, summer is still here at the foot of the South Mesa but the nights are cooler and we wear a fleece when we walk the dog at 9:30 every night so fall is on its way.  I kind of like the summer heat but 18 consecutive days of 98+ degrees made for a hot summer so I’m glad to see fall’s wagon pulling slowly into view.  A pumpkin vine sprang up in our garden, a volunteer seed probably hiding in the spring compost, and it has produced perfect orange orbs for us to admire and give away.  The zucchini is prolific….am considering leaving some on the neighbor’s doorstep in the dark…and have baked zucchini bread and zucchini/chocolate cake.  And of course all the cooking and baking is done in the brand new kitchen here on Elderberry Road!  Zodiac countertops are easy to clean, the Wolf gas cooktop provides even heat and makes great finished dishes and once again having a sink makes me feel whole!  The summer went by in a blur of dust and construction debris …but as with all arduous projects, it is now complete and those memories are starting to fade.

So the little wheels slowly turn, and fall rolls in…..chrysanthemums blazing and spilling out of the wagon’s sides…..another season of life.

Working the Phones for Obama

On Tuesday evenings, I go to the Golden headquarters for Barak Obama and make calls to folks who are listed as Unaffiliated.  This week, one of the calls resulted in me speaking to a very nice man and when we were ready to hang up, I said, “Thanks so much for talking with me.”

“Oh,” he replied, “it’s been a pressure…um, I mean, a pleasure.”