Several years ago I turned down an amazing opportunity.
Bonnie Kremer, my loving mentor with the brightest personality I’ve ever
encountered, invited me to attend an event with Governor Tom Vilsack, I believe
at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. As much as I enjoy hanging around decidedly
failed presidential candidates, the true pleasure of the evening would have
been meeting the guest of honor at the exclusive event, Senator Hillary
Clinton. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t fit the governor and the senator into
my busy extra-curricular schedule. (You’re welcome, Dave./They must have been
so disappointed…/What was I thinking??)
Fortunately, living in the crossfire of Iowa’s political
battleground, it wasn’t long until a new opportunity to see Hillary (and the
hatted first lady of Iowa alongside Governor Vilsack) presented itself. During
her 2007 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Clinton
visited Mt. Pleasant again, and that time I was sure to attend! Sadly, I came
far closer to talking to the graphically pro-life protesters outside the venue
than I did Hillary… or even Christie Vilsack for that matter.
Today I once again awaited Hillary, this time in her
position as secretary of state. Crowded behind a white line we were admonished
at least four times not to cross, I was positioned about three rows back from
the front, five yards away from the podium, amidst a group of about 25 Peace
Corps volunteers. Somewhat weak in the knees, I stood waiting with my friends
at least an hour for her arrival. Finally the secret service opened the doors,
and in she walked amidst much applause. “Good morning!” she beamed as soon as
she entered. Following Ambassador Todd’s introduction, Secretary Clinton made
brief remarks thanking the embassy staff for their hard work in Cambodia.
After concluding, the secretary took a quick photo with some
children and made her way speedily down the white line shaking a hand every
here and there. When she neared me, she reached into the second row to shake hands
with a Khmer woman. Without hesitation, as if not in control of my own body, I
seized the opportunity. Reaching my arm through two rows of onlookers, I smiled
my biggest smile and our eyes met. She said, “Hello!” as my hand clasped hers
and I felt the tenderness, age, and power of her grip.
While I didn’t get to say thank you for all the work she has
done in her lifetime to support human rights or tell her what an inspiration
she is to me and my friends, I was able to connect with her for just a moment.
It was special for me, just to be in her presence and hold her hand, however
little tangible significance such an act bears. To me, shaking her hand and
looking into her eyes was a reminder that she is a real person, a common human
being who has managed greatness, often selflessly. In many ways, she has been
an icon, an image, something abstract and larger than life. Touching the untouchable
reminded me not only of her humanity, but also of the agency innate in all
people to do great things no matter how common we are or how humble our station
in life may be.
Secretary Clinton thanking embassy staff
PCV Katie Muller's photo of me with the secretary and ambassador
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