She was having breakfast here, in the cozy, retro, Century Room at the Hotel Congress, with those of us who responded to yesterday's invitation.
Coincidentally, my copy of her book became available off the library's reserve list last week. The first five pages are personal, philosophical, reminiscent, revealing, instructive, and demanding. I read and reread them, finding inspiration and reinforcement and energy to do more. Bunionella's gift of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's chapbook did that to me. Before that, I have to back to Little Women in 6th grade.
So, when the invitation to spend the last of our political capital showed up in my inbox last night, I clicked accept without a second thought. Then I drove to Barnes and Noble to buy a copy.
Bright and early this morning, I joined one of my favorite humans, who was even earlier than I, at a wooden cocktail table for two. As seems to happen at these gatherings, the strangers to our left and right were soon our friends. The pastries were scrumptious (they said), the yogurt and granola appropriately crunchy (in all the ways). The Capitol Police were providing security. The event started at 9 and ended right on time at 10.
About sixty people who could afford the donation sat comfortably close
She was teaching as she was preaching to a very appreciative choir. Her description of Ruben's accomplishments as our Representative was also a lesson in the sausage making. There was no hesitation in her voice; there was power.
Not the Self Proclaimed Protector of Women Whether We Like It Or Not's power, loud and self-referential and obscene. This was confidence personified, with no need to bluster. She reminded me of Margaret Thatcher (at the Marin Speakers Series many years ago), a small but mighty, well-spoken, warrior woman, succeeding in a man's world.
She never said I. We, you, all of us..... it was a refreshing reminder of the good that can be done by decent people operating with our country's interests at heart.
At 10, Rep. Gallego raced off to Phoenix to introduce the Vice President at a rally. Speaker Pelosi shook off her ride - No, I have time - and I joined the line to speak to her, book and pen in hand.
The woman is a great listener. She was flipping through the first few pages, I'm looking for the signing page, while I told her that I was gifting the book to my 10 year old granddaughter because of those first five pages.
And then I asked if she found the spark of divinity (she looks for it in everyone) in Donald Trump.
It's very hard. I do believe it was there. I think he's forgotten it.
There are some very fun perks to living in a battleground state.
