from Ben's mom
Was it just four years ago that I stood out in the wretched freezing ice rain and watched the 43rd President of the United States take the oath of office? Time sure has a way of moving right along. At that point, I had never heard of Michael Reitz, didn't dream of a sweet boy named Ben, and couldn't fathom living in Leesburg, Virginia or Washington state. But it was the start of good things....
Memories:
Will Humble crouching in the freezing cold because it was crowded enough that it was warmer lower. I didn't know who Will Humble was or that he would become a friend. At that point, I wondered if he would become another inauguration statistic along with William Henry Harrison. He was darn cold.
A very smiling Kevin Koons with look-alike sisters. I wasn't sure how it was possible to smile when you're that cold. Amy Williams was there too but Kevin and Amy were not an item, well, at least not anywhere other than Kevin's mind. I also was just meeting them and didn't dream we would be friends.
Jeff Steinbach climbing a tree on the Capitol Lawn to film and being threatened with handcuffs by Capitol police. Post 9/11, he would probably just be shot down.
Jeff Steinbach and friend Caleb forgetting where they parked their car and spending more than two hours driving around three different metro stations before we found it.
The beautiful snow that started in the evening as friend Janet Moeller and brother Mark Bigger and I were eating a very nice warm dinner in a swanky historic Alexandria restaurant that we couldn't afford.
Driving home in it afterward on Hwy 7 and being one of several cars that was on the road. We saw quite a few that were no longer on the road and I feared that we would join them. Janet slept to display her absolute trust in my driving abilities (or insanity, take your pick), while Mark kept his hands firmly on my shoulders to steady me.
Would I go this year? I think I would stay home with Ben and watch on TV. Having experienced pre- and post-Sept. 11 D.C. festivities, I have a feeling that security will be tight and a nightmare to deal with. And once again, it looks really cold out there. But then again, I love being present for history. So I'm glad to be far enough away not to have to make that choice.
4 comments:
Truly good memories. I will always remember the white snow flakes highlighted by the bright lights of the Lincoln Memorial, friends, history.
MB
And I will remember being short enough to not see anything until tall friends Kevin & Nathan launched me into the air so I saw at least a glimpse of what was going on... also being jammed so tightly into the metro that my nose was pressed into the chest of a guy I had never met.
Those were such fun times. I remember briefly meeting you, Rachelle, for the first time! You were "Mark's sister and Dana's friend." I'm glad that you later became my friend, too. :) -Amy
Ditto to Amy's comment. Except I don't remember getting formally introduced to you when you were on that trip. Thus, I actually didn't know whether "Mark's sister" was you or your friend until your next trip to DC. :)
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