I intended this post to be about the fund raising luncheon for Senator Al Franken that I attended on Sunday. There was to be a photo or two of the Senator speaking and a short summary of what was said. That is what I had planned.
Politics
The luncheon with Senator Franken and his wife Franni was enjoyable and a success. Cindie and Jim Smart hosted the event in their lovely home.
When I arrived, I was greeted at the door by the Senator. The house was packed with enthusiastic cheerful people, of whom I knew none and recognized a few from television or other political events that I’ve attended. However it was easy to mingle and chat with folks. I was a pleasure to be amongst a group of people who shared similar social values and were actively engaged in the struggle for social justice.
I had brought my camera and, after making certain that it was alright to take pictures, focused on the Senator as he talked with various people. This was a private event, I knew that I would not be able to share the majority of my photos because of privacy issues. Only pictures in which the Senator appeared alone or with Franni would be useable.
Near the end of the event Senator Franken gave some prepared remarks and answered questions. He talked about the need for creating jobs, helping our schools, gun control and the environment.
With his typical humor, the Senator touched on the difficulties of working with a resistive Republican Party. It was then that Senator Franken impressed me the most. While he pointed out a few of the Republican’s nonsensical positions (my words) he emphasized the need for bipartisan action. He reminded us that, for anything to get done, there has to be a certain level of civility and socialization. Legislators need to know each other not just as political adversaries but also as equally concerned public servants attempting to do what is best for the country.
As an example, Senator Franken told us about the relationships that Al and Franni have developed with Republican Senator from Wyoming, Mike Enzi and his wife. Besides their regular dinners together, Franni has made an effort to reach out to other senator’s wives and build bridges. Franni has been so successful that when the Republican legislator’s wives went on a retreat, Franni was asked if she would be coming along to. This warm humor shows that there is still hope that Washington can find its balance once again.
Senator Franken reminded us that the Senators work together constantly in committees and that if anything is to get done, civility is a must. Even while the Senator pointed out fallacies in Republican political and economic policies, he took care not to demonize or ridicule individuals.
Lastly, the Senator talked about the relationship that he and Franni share. They are partners working for a common vision of the future. He said that, “We are a team. I just happen to be the Senator.” Even while he spoke, Franni was busy talking with his staff and occasionally reminding Al to shorten up his answers so that more questions could be asked.
Possibilities
A room full of strangers is rich with potential. You never know with whom you will strike a conversation. The person that stands out, after Al and Franni, is an 86 year old woman, Lois K. Gibson. A lively quick witted lady who had just published her first novel. Its a murder mystery, Chief Among Sinners, that takes place in forested hills and bluffs of southern Minnesota.
I am fascinated by how other writers approach their craft. Lois told me that her characters lead her forward into the story. They would resist here trying to force them to act against their natures.
It took Lois five years to complete her mystery, during which she was diagnosed and successfully treated for non-hodgkins lymphoma. Now she is working on its sequel which she believes will take about a year to finish.
While we talked, I took Lois’s picture as she stood in front of a fireplace mantle, above which hung an early 19th century painting of a young girl. The photo was a keeper!
Lois reminds me of the all the possibilities that await me, provided that I try. Age and illness may slow us down but so long as as we stay engaged in life and pursue our passions life continues to be worth living.
Egos
Once the luncheon was over I rushed home to download the photos from my camera and see exactly what I had. I had previewed my work in my camera’s viewer and knew that I had some good shots.
It was then that I did something I’d never done before. Somehow, in my haste, I erased every image I’d taken. In an instant they were gone and unrecoverable. I sat in front of my computer staring at an empty folder where there should have been 40 images. I couldn’t believe what I’d done. I kept looking at the screen hoping that suddenly, magically, the list of file names would appear. Nada.
I had hoped that my photos would catch the eye of Senator Franken and his staff and perhaps open the door to doing more photos of the Senator. Not to mention my desire to share them in my blog. But they were gone.
I was embarrassed. I had told Lois and others that I would have photos. What would I do, what would I say?
A strange thing happened. Or rather, strangely, nothing happened. Several years ago, before Becky’s illness and death, I would have thrown a tantrum, calling myself names and pumping up my blood pressure. It would have ruined my entire day. But now, I accepted what I had done. What should I do?
I decided to write this post. What is done is really done and no amount of excuses or attempted face-saving can make the situation better. When I was a kid my father told me, “Always tell the truth. It is so much easier to remember than a lie.”
Ego is a powerful force. We all need it to push forward in our lives. At the same time, unchecked it can become a bulldozer that wrecks everything in its way, including the ego’s owner.
For someone involved in public service and politics, a strong ego is essential. I can’t imagine the abuse a public official must deal with and still remain committed to service. On the obverse side of the coin, working and socializing with the most influential people in our society must be exciting and disorienting. Senator Franken freely admits that one of Franni’s tasks is to keep him firmly connected to the ground.
Lois, on the other hand, has an ego shaped by 86 years of life. It took a strong ego to begin writing a novel when she was 80 years old, not to mention now working on a sequel. You need a strong ego to stay engaged and keep motoring forward.
As for me? I won’t repeat the mistake that erased all those photos. I’ll approach Senator Franken’s office about taking more pictures. I’ll do the same with Lois. There is no telling what their responses will be.
I can live with that because I know that the world is full of possibilities.