I remember the day of 9/11. I had about 3 dozen piggy banks to finish, it was warm and sunny with a perfect blue and peaceful sky. The contrast between having to finish those pigs before they dried, happy and cute little critters on a beautiful day, and the news on the radio is easy to remember.
I am, as usual, a little out of it. I had no plans for today other than glaze a load of mugs etc, then finish a couple of dozen heart mugs and candle holders. I let the dogs out at 11:51. We live on a busy road. Dead quiet, no cars anywhere.
I log on, no messages, nothing going, I wonder when the inaguration is, and the abc schedule tells me in 2 minutes. Can't get a live video feed anywhere. (we have no TV plus I am a flake and never know what's going on)
So, I give up, go back into the studio, flick on the radio at 12 and there is odd music, and I wonder if they'll ever swear the guy in.
So, I am making heart candle holders, suddenly the odd music is gone, and quick as can be Obama takes the podium with the chief justice, and man, was I surprised, I choked up and cried, I really did. Glad I made it to the radio ojust in time, and I love the image that will remain with me, like piggy banks on 9/11: I was making hearts.
3.jpg)
19 comments:
Gary, I think this is the most touching post that I've read today. You should have emailed me, though. I was sitting here in my office watching a live feed online. ;-)
I watched it online as well (www.hulu.com) and was moved. Hearts!
I liked the speech, although (like church) I caught myself daydreaming a couple times.
Oh, I also wanted to give a shout out to all the educated, intelligent, red necks too. My dad (a farmer, truck driver, and red neck poster boy), was a die hard union DFL Democrat. Compared to him, I'm just a poser.
I know exactly where I was on 9/11. The sun was shining here too. The sun is shining today.
I sure hope there 'is' change. I have belief. I have hope.
Awesome post. I wanted so badly to see it, to watch history in the making today. But I was at work, with my nazi boss hounding me for a presentation for tonight's meeting. It seems I'm the minority around here. So sad...
while we rejoice we have to remember there are a lot of upset people out there.
Now THAT is a good memory. It makes me want to be a potter actually.
That's a very sweet post.. you old softie, you. :) Touching, really.
9/11 in a classroom, crying with my students.
Today, in a classroom, smiling with my students.
I wish is...hope for our nation and peace for our planet.
I was right with you listening on the CBC. What a great moment!
--Marian
On 9/11, I was still in bed dozing when I got a phone call from you (Gary) telling me about the first crash. While you and I were still on the phone, the second plane went into the towers and you told me about it. So I was at home when it all happened. I suppose the news came to me in the best possible way--from family.
Today I was at work thinking about the inauguration. (For anyone who doesn't know, I do construction work.) Politicians and advocacy groups have been pushing to get more women accepted into blue collar unions, but so far in New York, only about 3.4% are women. The state with the highest percentage of women in the building trade unions is Illinois at 10%. This is because Obama worked hard to ensure that equal opportunity guidelines were enforced there. So even though I'd have loved to have stayed home and watched the events of today in real time, I think I honored our new president in a fitting way.
I am so happy today because of this. I watched it live (in bed!!) and was moved to tears several times. I wish you could have seen it when his wife and daughters walked out... and when he did. You could see the mantle he's about to bear slowly lowering itself onto his shoulders. It was amazing!
I couldn't get a live feed either. Fortunately I was able to watch on an old lone TV in my office building.
And don't forget to take a good look at Obama's nice dark hair now... it'll be white before long! :)
presidents age quickly alright....
I cried too. From relief, from excitement, from pride.
I was all dried out yesterday from crying. I needed a little wine. But I loved every minute of it.
A milestone in U.S. history I do believe, and I'm so pleased to have been able to see something like this come to pass. It's a truly historic time for us. But all my fingers and toes are crossed for that man and our country, because we all know there are many out there who do NOT wish him well.
I stayed up nearly all night, watching live on my computer. BBC had the best video, but they kept crashing. NPR had the best audio, so I stuck with them all the way through. Then I went around to see video replays of parts I had missed. The faces in the crowd were SO happy and awestruck! What a speech! Mr. Barack Obama is a *stirring* orator. I bet students paid attention when he taught. (I keep wanting to put more exclamation points, heheheh.)
Post a Comment