Tuesday, May 20, 2003

I had an interesting gratitude full weekend .... a conversation with Rick Kahn, James cheated death again, and I attended the MN Opera's version of the Matrix- Margaret Attwoods Handmaidens Tale..... ( freedom to OR Freedom from) I will attempt to cover all three events this week..... One of my good friends, who shall remain nameless, who was one of the head staff on Paul Wellstone's campaign, and I attended a photo exhibit dedicated to Paul on Saturday afternoon.  The artist Terry Gydesen is publishing a book of Paul and Sheila photos via the University of Minnesota Press that will come out this fall.  www.terrygydesen.com (the photos are from 1990- 2002) Who happened to arrive right behind us? Rick Kahn and his wife.  It was the first that I have seen him since the Memorial Service that so upset everyone!  "Kahn set off an election eve earthquake. His speech was considered too political; too partisan —not the elegant eulogy many had expected. His speech included an impassioned plea for Republicans to break party ranks and help get a Democrat elected to the Senate in Wellstone's place." For those of you who are not from MN, Rick Kahn is one of the most shy, mild, quiet individuals you might ever meet.  He was trying to embody his faithful fireery friend Paul when he made that speech ..... When the group I was with left the Memorial service, we talked about how Rick had gone a little over the top and that we wished no one had BOOOOOOOOOed the republicans... but that over all we were satisfied with the service... We had no idea how it had played out on TV............  On to today - I want to say thank you to Rick for his on going work and words of encouragement on Saturday.... He said "Melissa, no matter how discouraged we are by things right now, we can't give up, we can't move away,.... that is what they want, they want us to just give up........  If he can stay dedicated, how can I not  ....  He lost not only his political hero but his best friend and has been vilified across the nation.........   Thank you for reinspiring me!     Kahn gave KARE 11's Kerri Miller his first television interview since that night. He talked frankly, and emotionally, about what has happened since. The following is based on Miller's report.   http://www.kare11.com/news/news-article.asp?NEWS_ID=46538 James, or THE BOY as my family and friends call him, called me Saturday afternoon and said - Mom, I am not injured, but please call me right back.... - NOT the most soothing statement for a Mother to hear ... James is in Birmingham, AL, for the next few weeks helping the Red Cross respond to a flood. He was driving down the interstate with a van full of volunteers, when a motorcycle sans driving came flying out of the ditch right in ront of his vehicle, as if launched off a ramp!  The cycle was in mid air when the impact occurred. Thankfully non of them was seriously injured, including the motor cycle driver.  My favorite quotes- "Mom I was driving carefully like I do with you, becuase there were old people over 50 in the van!"  and " I am always going to wear my seatbelt, I guess you never know when you might have an accident!"  Once again I wish to express my gratitude!  10:51:17 AM    comment []