Many years ago, I was a fledgling teacher near Washington, DC. My apartment was not luxurious but it was a convenient and free launching spot for visitors! So, I had regular visits from friends and family members who wanted to see the nearby sites such as Arlington Cemetery, National Zoo, Lincoln Memorial Mall, and Arlington Cemetery. When my brother, immersed in politics and history, visited, he had one request: to go into the Capital.
So in preparation for his visit, I did some research (not so easy in the days before internet and Google) and determined the best time to visit and how to get into the gallery seats. As I remember, you could not get tickets in advance and had to just be ready and waiting at the right moment, Our visit was carefully planned. After we explored the rotunda and open to the public halls, we made our way to the Gallery waiting area. We surrendered our cameras (it was long ago) and waited for our moment in gallery seats for some long forgotten debate by some long forgotten senator. I do, however, remember that feeling of sitting at the seat of our government where decisions had been made through the history of our country. I do remember my brother's comments as we left had something to do with that feeling he experienced as well.
As I crawled into bed last Wednesday, I was feeling heartbroken over the loss of life as well as the loss of our sense of security. In the future, Our Capital will likely be feeling differently with barriers and restrictions keeping people from ever knowing that feeling of becoming one with history. I had tears in my eyes thinking my grandchildren likely will only know that feeling IF they run for Congress! Then, I remembered that my grandchildren will also not know the feeling of walking freely into schools or an airport either.
It was a seminal moment in our nation's story but I'm trying to be confident that we can help the next generation to understand that our words and our actions matter.
5 comments:
My heart is with you here! I have visited the Capital only once and stood in awe at all I saw and the history that walked those halls. I still can no get my head around peoples ability to destroy this scared space! Thanks for writing!
Yes, it is likely that "that feeling" will no longer be available to those, like you and your brother, who wanted to reverently partake of such a sentiment. Wednesday was sad, indeed. Thank you for writing about this and sharing your unique perspective; having lived in that place, you likely experienced a unique horror that many of us could only take in from afar. I hope better days lie ahead...
It’s the loss of access that breaks my heart most. I’d hoped the 9-11 barriers at the WH would eventually be removed; then I hoped w/ Biden’s inauguration the barriers Trump erected would come down. Now we have the additional security around the Capitol. It’s heartbreaking.
Anita - I so know "that feeling." There are so many surrounding the memories and the vents last week. How wonderfully you wove the phrasing through your reflection - for indeed, we are all full of feelings now. I stand with you in hoping and trying help the next generation understand how words matter - for they lead to actions. I have not yet lost hope for the current generation - if we will but learn.
Love this deeply reflective, heartfelt post, especially your memories of your time in DC. My son lived there for law school and then settled there for several more years. I have happy memories of visiting him and the sites where so much important history took place. I'm hoping for teachers and parents (and grandparents) to seize the teachable moments, our words and our actions matter, from the past week.
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