Don Gerard and Missing My Mother
I miss my mother so much. I find it hard to believe it's been almost a year. She died on the 17th and was buried on the 25th, my sister Judi's birthday. It's been a long year trying to dig out of the hole we'd been in for the previous couple of years. With both my father and my mother, I feel as though I didn't mourn them adequately immediately because the end of their lives was so hard that their death was somewhat of a relief. As I blink at the bright sky these days however I miss them. I miss them terribly. And whenever I think of the meet and greet we are planning for Don Gerard at our house (details to follow) I can't help but think of how tickled my mother would be. And of course she would be telling me how tickled my father would be. It just makes me happy...a little sad but happy just the same. My parents weren't particularly involved in politics although they were in the Chuck Percy campaign back in...well, way back..... Somewhere I have a newspaper photo of my mother looking really hot and wearing a Chuck Percy campaign hat. They were always very aware of current events---both local, national and international. For years my father was always an election judge. Even when I think he was at the point that I don't think he was really a whole lot of help. They believed strongly however in voting for what you believe in and for whom you support.
My mother didn't really know Don but she remembered his kids vividly from the baby shower that friends gave us for Leo. My mother had exquisite taste and she raved about the way Don's kids were dressed (she was quite impressed with you Anna). His kids were just toddlers and I must admit they were damn cute. And then she read Don's writings in the News-Gazette and would periodically ask after him and his family. Anyway...for some reason, whenever I think about Don's campaign and our support of it....I think of my mother. Crazy, huh?
I feel VERY strongly that anyone who has the chance to hear Don talk about his thoughts and plans for Champaign will support him-----so it's just a matter of people having the CHANCE to hear him. Tomorrow night at the I-Hotel is one of those chances. I know the current Mayor has been invited but I don't know that he plans to attend. However, here is the info on what IS planned!
Guest speakers will be talking about their involvement in the community. This is an open forum discussion about issues facing Champaign. When guest speakers are finished, people in attendance will have a chance to ask questions and participate. This event is free and open to the public.
When: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 from 5:30‐8:30pm (informal gathering time is from 5:30‐6:30 pm) speakers begin at 6:30 pm
Where: The IHotel and Conference Center in the Quad Room
Guest speakers will include: AFSCME representative, Jamar Brown, Eric Bussell, Firefighter representative, Don Gerard, and Tanya Parker.
*(Mayor Jerry Schweighart invited)
This event is sponsored by the Friends of Don Gerard and Halfway Interesting.
So we'll see you there and if you want to drink a toast to my mother....well.....that's just fine with me.....