Shocking to see the photo of the damaged office. So glad you put things into such excellent perspective once again. I love your writing style, the down-to-earth way you let us in to see what an extraordinary family you have. Lucky grandkids!!!
January 6th threatened to change the view for all of us. But I have to love that city. It has always had two sides but I try to focus on the positive aspects. I choose to think of walking those streets with my young daughter strapped to my back as a baby, and then hand in hand a few years later, marveling in the images of a country with so much potential and so much dark history. Of two 4th of July celebrations spent at the monument struggling with the desire to feel great pride that has always been overshadowed with the knowledge of of the horrors. Of marching those streets with millions of other women angry at a man (and the system behind him) that is still trying to silence us but the great pride of our collective power when we stand up and speak out. I am sure the next time I visit I will also have to see in my minds eye those horrible images of a hate filled mob pushed to do horrible things by a two bit con man. But I will also have to see our sweet sitting president and our very first woman VP along with images of Bernie in his Vermont mittens and our own Sherod up on those steps beaming with pride.
“I saw it in a book at school” reminds us that we need to continue to fight against the racism and homophobia of book banning in all of our schools and communities.
Yes, Ann. I thought about that, too. Milo lives in a community that values education, and that includes reading a diverse collection of books. His parents began this tradition at home, when he was a baby.
"I saw it in a book at school." Thank you, Connie, for reminding me that our lived experiences now fit under your grandson's acknowledgement. That day, I watched in disbelief. How had the heart of our nation's capitol turned into a battle ground? I wasn't naive. Nevertheless, I found myself banging my head against the old trope of "how could one man have swayed thousands" to do his bidding? And then I remembered one day when I stood in front of a classroom of inquisitive 8th graders - the looks of disbelief and shock on their faces as I slowly, carefully introduced them to that period in time that was the Holocaust.
I am teary reading this, and even more so when I read the wonderful words of your grandchild. I also had no idea that Sherrods’ office had been trashed. I don’t think that I was tuned into your words at that time. Thank you so much for sharing.
Dear Connie: a powerful reminder of why we must preserve our democracy! Seeing the truth through the eyes of the innocent!
May I share my story of “looking out the window “. My daughter’s office window looked out on the corner in Atlanta GA where John Lewis waited for his bus. She would look down from her window and see the children flock around him to listen to him. He paid attention to every child as the too waited for their bus to start their day. What a Good Man!
My daughter saw him many times between 2012-2017 when her office was in downtown. I just called her to get my story straight and she said no matter where he was he took the time to greet people and LISTEN to them. What a hero!
Not today! I’m usually in tears from uproarious laughter as I read your Hopefully Yours.
But not today. The tears still falling as I write this are those of gratitude. For a remarkable story of hope and the call of freedom heard, I thank you!
The daughter of church friends was one of the Senate pages, the kids who carried the Electoral College ballots into the Senate for counting. Her mother proudly posted pictures of her carrying the ballot boxes. For some time they didn’t know where their child was, while we watched the battle raging outside.
Remember that when you feel sympathy for those sentenced to 10+ years in prison for insurrection.
A photo like Sherrod's brings home the reality of the destructive mob, reminding us of that horrible day. When I saw it, I lost any sympathy for the rioters being sentenced to long prison terms. The vandalism was so unnecessary and so excessive.
All of the conspirators deserve the full force of the law being brought to bear on them for their crimes. (I might be feeling pretty angry all over again)
You've stirred a moment of hope into my heart today with this story of love and history. We shield our children from things or moments that would harm them and likewise must remember always to educate them on the moments in our country when bravery and hope always took first place. We must never forget.
Shocking to see the photo of the damaged office. So glad you put things into such excellent perspective once again. I love your writing style, the down-to-earth way you let us in to see what an extraordinary family you have. Lucky grandkids!!!
January 6th threatened to change the view for all of us. But I have to love that city. It has always had two sides but I try to focus on the positive aspects. I choose to think of walking those streets with my young daughter strapped to my back as a baby, and then hand in hand a few years later, marveling in the images of a country with so much potential and so much dark history. Of two 4th of July celebrations spent at the monument struggling with the desire to feel great pride that has always been overshadowed with the knowledge of of the horrors. Of marching those streets with millions of other women angry at a man (and the system behind him) that is still trying to silence us but the great pride of our collective power when we stand up and speak out. I am sure the next time I visit I will also have to see in my minds eye those horrible images of a hate filled mob pushed to do horrible things by a two bit con man. But I will also have to see our sweet sitting president and our very first woman VP along with images of Bernie in his Vermont mittens and our own Sherod up on those steps beaming with pride.
“I saw it in a book at school” reminds us that we need to continue to fight against the racism and homophobia of book banning in all of our schools and communities.
Yes, Ann. I thought about that, too. Milo lives in a community that values education, and that includes reading a diverse collection of books. His parents began this tradition at home, when he was a baby.
"I saw it in a book at school." Thank you, Connie, for reminding me that our lived experiences now fit under your grandson's acknowledgement. That day, I watched in disbelief. How had the heart of our nation's capitol turned into a battle ground? I wasn't naive. Nevertheless, I found myself banging my head against the old trope of "how could one man have swayed thousands" to do his bidding? And then I remembered one day when I stood in front of a classroom of inquisitive 8th graders - the looks of disbelief and shock on their faces as I slowly, carefully introduced them to that period in time that was the Holocaust.
Amazing ... and touching.
So beautiful. The way you write about your family is so special.
I am teary reading this, and even more so when I read the wonderful words of your grandchild. I also had no idea that Sherrods’ office had been trashed. I don’t think that I was tuned into your words at that time. Thank you so much for sharing.
Dear Connie: a powerful reminder of why we must preserve our democracy! Seeing the truth through the eyes of the innocent!
May I share my story of “looking out the window “. My daughter’s office window looked out on the corner in Atlanta GA where John Lewis waited for his bus. She would look down from her window and see the children flock around him to listen to him. He paid attention to every child as the too waited for their bus to start their day. What a Good Man!
Sheila Alonso, Maura’s friend
Sheila, what a wonderful story about John. It sounds so very much like him. During what period of time did this happen?
My daughter saw him many times between 2012-2017 when her office was in downtown. I just called her to get my story straight and she said no matter where he was he took the time to greet people and LISTEN to them. What a hero!
Keep writing!
Thank you for this, Sheila. That is the John Lewis so many of us knew and loved.
Beautiful capsulation of events/outcome
Wow. Beautiful
Not today! I’m usually in tears from uproarious laughter as I read your Hopefully Yours.
But not today. The tears still falling as I write this are those of gratitude. For a remarkable story of hope and the call of freedom heard, I thank you!
I’m so happy that I subscribed to Hopefully Yours. Your posts are such a gift, every single time!
Thank you.
Your dot-connecting dazzles, once again. You take use from June 2023 to December 1955 and back again, masterfully. Brava, Queen Connie, brava! 👏
The daughter of church friends was one of the Senate pages, the kids who carried the Electoral College ballots into the Senate for counting. Her mother proudly posted pictures of her carrying the ballot boxes. For some time they didn’t know where their child was, while we watched the battle raging outside.
Remember that when you feel sympathy for those sentenced to 10+ years in prison for insurrection.
What a hero.
A photo like Sherrod's brings home the reality of the destructive mob, reminding us of that horrible day. When I saw it, I lost any sympathy for the rioters being sentenced to long prison terms. The vandalism was so unnecessary and so excessive.
All of the conspirators deserve the full force of the law being brought to bear on them for their crimes. (I might be feeling pretty angry all over again)
You've stirred a moment of hope into my heart today with this story of love and history. We shield our children from things or moments that would harm them and likewise must remember always to educate them on the moments in our country when bravery and hope always took first place. We must never forget.