Emily was suppose to be swimming all weekend in Lawrence, KS and the little girls did not want to attend the meet. We met my in-laws for dinner at the local airport restaurant, We-B-Smokin' to drop the girls with them for the night. I had shared with the girls that I had heard rumors that the president was coming to town. I told them even if it was just a false story, how awesome to think of the president coming to town. Our waitress and good friend Shannon, asked me if I had talked to her sister in law about being at the airport when the helicopters landed there. My jaw dropped! So it is true the president of the free world is coming to Osawatomie! After dinner I quickly called my friend, April (Shannon's sister in law) and asked what I had to do to be in the airport when Mr. Obama comes to town. She told me that she would put my families name on the list and explained the procedure we would have to follow to get in the gates. We would have to park outside the fence and walk around. We had to be there 2 hours before the helicopters landed and could not leave until the president had left town. She said they could not say if he would come into the airport restaurant or not, but they were hoping he would. I was beyond excited. I explained to the girls that they would be missing school for this life-changing day, but that they should try and keep it under wraps because not everyone could attend.
That evening I called on all my Miami County democratic friends to share the exciting news of the Presidents visit. My friend, Amy Atwood told me that the school district had held a staff meeting to let the staff know the plan for tickets to the speech. The plan was set for the tickets to be open to the public starting at noon on Sunday, December 4th. I thought this process over for hours trying to come up with a plan to ensure I would be in the gym when history was made. I received a phone call late Friday evening telling me that I would be receiving one VIP ticket to sit on the floor during the speech. I cannot explain my feelings after that call because they were so unclear. I was thrilled to have a guaranteed pass in, but I was feeling guilty that others would not and sad that my family may not get to join me. I stewed over this all day Saturday with my sister, Beth, at Emily's swim meet. She said, "I wish Grandma Mary could go." So I decided I would wait in line the next morning to try and get two more passes so my parents and my grandma could go. I was unsure if they were granting passes to children under 18, so I wanted to be sure that the people who have supported my political views and efforts would be part of the speech. When I shared the plan with my parents, my plan changed again. They told me they want to see the motorcade come through town and by their home more and they believed children could go. New plan: Justin, Rudy, Clare and I would wait in line for tickets and Emily would use the pass I was issued. We tucked Rudy and Clare into bed that night and said, "whoever wakes up first wake up the others" (Emily stayed in Lawerence with my my sister, Beth, so she could swim)
4:30am Sunday Rudy runs in our room and says, "Let's go get tickets to Obama!" I said, "Let's snuggle and little longer". By 5:45am we were up bundled and out the door to wait in line for tickets. We arrived at Osawatomie High School just after 6am. It was 30 degrees outside, but we were prepared. My mom brought in her comfort and support several times through out the morning. By 9:30am I believe the rumor that children would not be allowed to attend the speech and sent Rudy and Clare with my parents to pick up my cousin at the airport. We waited in line until 12 noon with our dear friends Scott and Chrisy Dreiling. Having good company made the morning pass by quickly. At 11:30am, Janet McRhea, the economic developer for Miami County walked through the line with announcements. One of her announces was, "Children will be granted tickets!" Before this announcement I was number 73 in line. After the announcement I was number 127! I was sad and disappointed my children were no longer in line, but that was my fault and they would still be able to be a part of the day in some way. We also were informed that the tickets would not be transferable. I had no idea what my plan was going to be! We walked away from the high school and received a phone call that my grandma had got in line and received a ticket. I shortly received another phone call that I would be granted another VIP pass. So to do the math for you, I had four tickets and five people in my family. I checked with my parents again to be sure they did not want to attend. My dad said he was unsure if he was attending as he may be using my grandma's pass due to her health and my mom said she would be helping the nursing residents see the motorcade. I made a phone call and explained that I was one pass short of my family being able to attend together and was granted one more VIP pass. It was happening! My entire family would be part of US history.
Sunday was a blur! We attended the last part of Emily's swim meet and had dinner with our extended family in Lawrence. We had a great evening visiting with my cousin, Britten, and chatting about our local excitement. It was a great evening but as I looked around the table, I wished they could all be there with me. I could give great argument to why they all "deserved" to be there.
Monday was a blur of excitement and clothing prep for myself and my girls. We all agreed that we needed to look our best to meet the President! Justin, carried on his busy work schedule late into the evening to prepare to have the day off.
Tuesday we woke up as though we were getting ready for school. Justin ran to the store to grab a few snacks for us to pack on our person to have while waiting. At the store he saw his Assistant Fire Chief and they shared their excitement about the day. Justin's fellow fire fighters would be stationed at the Miami County Airport to welcome the president's helicopters in. I was so relieved that it was finally Tuesday, I had not slept well since I learned of the president's plans to visit Osawatomie. I was too excited and nervous. We planned to meet at my parent's house at 9am to carpool closer to the high school. We all gathered inside the warm house and slowly decided we were ready to take on the bitter cold day and wait in line to get inside. The three VIP passes would have allowed Justin, Emily and myself to go into the warm building, but we decided to wait together. The line was long and the cold was painful. We took breaks going inside the school to warm our toes. We searched for patches of sunshine in hoped the wait would feel short because of our excitement. The line to go in started moving promptly at 10:45am. We split into two lines for general seating and VIP seating. Rudy cried out of nervousness that she wanted to stay with me, but she was quickly comforted by Gramps and Christy. We approached the entrance at 12:30pm. As I looked at Emily her face had winced up in pain and she was a shade of green. When I asked her if she was ok she replied, "I think so, but stomach hurts, its feels like I have rocks in it and my back is wet".
I was scared, what were we to do now. We were moments away from walking into a presidential speech and my fear was that Emily was not going to make it with out getting sick. We decided to try and comfort her by holding her until she got through security and then we would take her to the bathroom. The staff were saying to hurry and find our seats and to not visit with anyone, but we decided to take her to the bathroom and hope she would be better. She was still green and not feeling good as we were directed to our seats. Justin took her shoes and socks off and held her feet in his hands for a couple minutes. As soon as she got her body temperature up she was excited again and gained her color back.
I was so relieved that she was going to be ok. She slid her shoes and socks on and the presidential march began to play.
Tears rolled down my face as President Barack Obama took the stage at Osawatomie High School! This is the same gym I played basketball in, and when I looked into the crowd I saw my coaches. The news cameras were set up where I use to direct the pep band as the high school drum major. Kathleen Sebelius was sitting in the area where I use to sit the bench during basketball season. It was an unbelievable feeling to be in my high school gym listening to the president. The President of the United States of America stood where my school superintendent stood on my high school graduation.
I am fan of of Obama and the work he has done for our country. I believe that we cannot overcome our economic troubles without protection of human welfare. I do believe that all should receive a fair chance at success and that all should play by the same rules. "We still have a stake in each other’s success", President Obama. I refuse to give up on Americans. I am out in the community doing the foot work to encourage young families that they can provide the dream they want for their children and themselves. "Our success has never just been about survival of the fittest. It’s about building a nation where we’re all better off.", President Obama. We must work together as a nation to help one another and stop looking out for ourselves. A full write up of his speech in Osawatomie can be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/06/remarks-president-economy-osawatomie-kansas
Several times through out the speech I beamed with happiness and hope that the nation would begin to understand that we must work together to get back to being the greatest nation. The fundamental rule of our national life,” he said, “the rule which underlies all others -- is that, on the whole, and in the long run, we shall go up or down together.” And I believe America is on the way up.
As he left the stage, he approach the small area I was seated in. I told Emily to try and wiggle her way up to shake his hand. Her face was filled with joy and pride as she turned back to us after shaking his hand. I was following behind her and the crowd shifted and placed me right in front of the President. I reached my hand out to his and said, "Nice to meet you Mr. President" he replied, "You too". He met my eyes and wrapped his large hand completely around mine and then continued to greet the crowd. I met the President of the United States of America today.
We gathered our things and met the rest of our group (Dad, Rudy, Clare, Dylan & Christy) outside. We quickly walked back to our cars in hopes of catching the motorcade go by my parent's house. We walked around the front of the house to main street and the sidewalks were lined with people waiting. I decided to cross the street in hopes of getting a picture of the motorcade in with my parent's house in the background.
After I long, exciting day we were all hungry and tired and Grandma and Britten were excited to hear our stories. We decided to go grab a meal in Paola. We did not think we would be able to travel Old KC Road but decided to try just in case we could see something. We pulled up in front of the airport as the President was leaving our local restaurant (where he ordered ribs to go) to get on the helicopter and leave.
As I write this blog to remember the day I was part of U.S. history I am already fearing that I have missed part of the story. I am very thankful for this amazing opportunity and that I was able to share it with my family. I will be posting my daughters reflections on the day soon.
