Monday, December 29, 2008

Rahm Encounters

I know, it's been a long time since I've posted. . . I've been thinking about pulling the blog down. Or maybe starting a new one in a different vein. Today I'm leaning toward the latter.

Anyway, I just got my automated "So long and thanks for all the fish" call from Rahm Emmanuel. And since I really haven't heard anything but negative Rahm comments from everyone I know, I thought I'd weigh in with my positive spin.

I've met the Congressman twice. The first time must have been about six years ago - when he was running for office - at my local Jewel. I recognized him at the door, and I literally yelled out, "Rahm Emmanuel!" He smiled at me and we talked for a minute or two. He asked what my issues were, and I remember feeling like he was listening (not just campaigning). I introduced him to my daughters and he was kind to them.

A few years later I saw the Congressman at a Rahm's Readers event. This was a program he started in the Chicago elementary schools that encouraged children to read. At the program end, he invited participants to an awards program/social event. My daughters and I attended, and the Congressman was there with his wife and beautiful young children. But the day wasn't about Rahm Emmanuel . . . he was really just in the background. The day was about the school children. (And too often it's not.)

Cool, huh?