Reply #38: I am so sorry I missed you.

[TayTay]

But the odds were 99-1 against seeing you, once we saw the lay of the land, so to speak, at Faneuil. We only got in the Hall because we were there early. My husband and I did manage to meet up with the Greater Lowell contingent, including the nice person who runs the blog "Left in Lowell.'

That rally was amazing. Everyone has hopes and dreams for their home state (or else they should. Regional pride and pride in your place of birth is great and a noble thing. Well, as long as it isn't blinding or keeps you from seeing the truth and recognizing the need for change.)

I grew up in Greater Boston during the whole busing crisis. I remember all the little things that separated the good people of Massachusetts along racial lines. That hurt so much it can still bring me to tears to even think about it. (The Great Commonwealth of Massachusetts had a sort of break-down in the '70's over busing and related issues. It was a horrible thing and I have never gotten over it.)

What made yesterday so incredibly special is that Mr. Patrick is not a 'black candidate' for Governor of Massachusetts. He is a highly intelligent, motivated, poised, articulate and energetic candidate for Governor of Massachusetts. For the tiniest of moments, for just one beautiful second of bliss I could believe that we can move beyond the politics of group identity and racial identification and all that and just see a wonderful human being who has great plans for my State. That filled my soul to such an enormous degree. It was so wonderful, so very, very wonderful. I think that moments like these, those moments of pure belief that are so rare in politics, are the true reason I am 'still here.' They nurture me and make me believe, even in the face of the KKKarl Roves of the world and so forth.

I am so sorry I missed you Karynnj. I am so glad you got to see this moment of Massachusetts politics at it's very best: inclusive, enthusiastic, hopeful and full of promise. That is a great and joyous thing.