For a brief time this afternoon, I felt like I was in college again.
We left from Akron just after 2 p.m. for the Bruce Springsteen/Barack Obama rally in Cleveland, travelling in three cars, road-trip style. My wife and I, five friends, and a whole litter of kids. We parked in Ohio City and took the Light Rail into Cleveland. Arrived before 4 p.m.
When I’m 64, I probably won’t remember Bruce Springsteen’s set list.
When I’m 64, I doubt I’ll remember the specifics of Barack Obama’s speech.
I might not remember exactly where we stood, or what we spoke about.
But I will remember stepping out of Tower City Mall into the bright sunshine, and Meyer, our almost-four year-old, looking up and instantly spotting the Goodyear Blimp, hovering high above the Cleveland Browns football game.
I’ll remember holding Meyer’s hand, as he held his friend Sophie’s hand, and walking across the square toward the field, lagging behind, the buildings of the city rising up on both sides.
When I’m 64, I’ll remember how we spread the two blankets out on the concrete, near the veteran’s memorial — a mile or so from the stage, but near enough to a giant video screen — and surrounded by people wearing pins and shirts and hats, holding signs, eagerly awaiting a new tomorrow.
I’ll remember Meyer and Sophie and Seth and Martha playing Legos on the blankets, and eating Goldfish, as we shifted from foot to foot, waiting for the show to start. I’ll remember Baby Maren and Baby Jason, totally chill as the evening sky grew dim.
When I’m 64, I probably won’t remember exactly where the polls stood on this day, two days before the election.
But I’ll always remember the moment Bruce came out — “Hello, Cleveland!” — and how we picked our kids up and put them on our shoulders.
We wanted them to see. Whatever they could. Just a little bit farther.
I’ll remember holding Meyer’s ankles. I’ll think about how he flew his Lego airplane through the sky over my head, as Springsteen’s hand came down, and, at long last, he began to sing.
JR,
-I’m 64+3 and the memory is amazing, Sometimes it kicks in at 2 AM. Do you think Paul even considered 64 when he wrote those lyrics.
-My Obama 15 hours – tomorrow at 5:15 AM I report to Mt. Olive Townships District 12 where I will be one of 2 Dem. poll workers. This will be my 3rd Presidential Election working the polls in a very heavy Rep. district. I can’t wear my
“Bubbe 4 Baracb/Biden” pin.
-I want to thank you for your informative column. I will miss your information, links to other information, criticisms, satire and humor.
Wish I could have been there to share the experience with you and the family.
I second eww’s thanks for writing the blog. I know you’ll have to go back to your regular existence but hope you will, at least occasionally, share your reactions with us.
JR-
As always, your excellent writing puts me right there… in the moment with you. As a fan of your work and as a friend who loves you and your family – please do not stop writing your blog. I look forward each day to hearing your thoughts, knowing you will have insight to what is going on around us that few others can achieve. Tomorrow is not the end, Neurotic Dem – it’s a grand and wonderful new beginning. There will be much to discuss and the thought of not getting your take makes me sad!
Keep it up – we need you!!!
eww:
So much so, in fact, that all these years later — I’ve only ever seen the show that once — I still, when with my sons, for example, will burst out with a variation of that catchy, catchy tune:
Can’t thank you enough for your kind words, your encouragement, and for reading (and commeting on) the blog all these many months. I’ve enjoyed your posts and comments as well. I have to say, knowing folks like you have been out there reading has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this for me.
Speaking about memory … I think of Mt. Olive fondly. I remember being there for a fantastic performance of “Bye Bye Birdie,” what, 21 years ago now? I should say the lead, Conrad, was amazing!
“We love you Meyer, Oh yes we do …
We love you Meyer, and we’ll be true …
When you’re not near us, We’re blue!
Oh Meyer, we love you!”
drdad –
Ditto the comments above, to eww. you’ve been part of the heart and sould of this whole experience from the very start …
Eileen Miller –
(Can I say, how great that you use your full name, btw?)
I’m almost getting wistful here, just reading your comments. I don’t know exactly what I’ll do after all of this is over. (And please, please, please — no court battles; no hanging chads; let’s END this thing tomorrow!) I will say it has been wonderful being a part of this online community — and watching it grow. Many people post now — and I have no idea who they are! So, thanks, not only for these words of encouragement, but for your own blog. (And I’d encourage all of you to click on it, from the blog roll at right: http://www.maybeitsme-eileen.blogspot.com)
No matter what happens, I’ve learned a ton.
Now. Let’s get out of our chairs and win this thing.
-ND
Beautiful.
Thank you.