October 2025 You Don't Know What You've Got Until It's Gone

"Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?”

 Joni Mitchell

Long ago, I lived in a Washington suburb; thus, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews came to pay tribute to the sights, including the White House. In the space of a few years, I explored Mount Vernon, Alexandria, and Georgetown.  I stood, in Arlington Cemetery, explored the Pentagon, and listened to Congress inside the Capitol.

During the January 6th occupation, I realized the Capitol would never be open to people again. I was sad that my own children and grandchildren would never know the long corridors infused with the history of our democracy.

Somehow, I never went inside the White House even though I had planned to do so. I always figured I would get there some day. 

This week, I realized I will never stand inside the White House.  I will not be invited into the grand new ballroom build in the image of Trump's Towers. I will not stand inside the People's House where the walls are infused with memories of the many men and women who worked there promoting women's rights, mental health, reading, and nature focused initiatives. Nor will my children, their children and your children.  

I guess you never miss what you had until it's gone, as Joni Mitchell sang long ago.