At 56 I did not really ever comtemplated the idea of being a grandfather. I certainly knew, when my two adult children were married, that the possibbility existed but I did not spend any measurable time thinking when it might happen, and if it happened would the baby be a boy or a girl, or any of the other countless thing one might consider leading up to such a moment.
Then early in the summer our 34 year old daughter told us she was going to give birth. She waited to tell us but once she shared her joy even though it was exciting to see her happy I still felt more joy for her, and her husband, than I did at idea I was going to be a grandparent.
Many people told me to wait until the baby was born, how that would change my life. I listened and smiled but even then didn't give thier words any serious weight. Then it happened. A month and two days ago my daughter gave birth to beautiful, healthy, 8 lb 7oz girl. I was totally captivated by all that was transpiring. My wife had flown to the West Coast to join my daughter in the last couple of weeks leading up to the baby's birth. And although I too had been invited I just thought that I would be "in the way," so I chose to stay back in the midwest. However within minutes of hearing the news over the phone, while at the same time seeing pictured that were taken and mailed only moments earlier, I was hooked and immediately, at the end of the call, called the airlines and purchased a ticket to join them the next day. Once I arrived I laughed, I cried, and fell in love at first sight. From the moment I held her in my arms I knew all those words of advice were true ... I truly was hooked.
I want my granddaughter to grow up as a happy, well adjusted, loved, respected, contributing member of society. I want her to know she can be anything she wants to be, with only the sky as her limit. I want to know great joy, and I will comfort her when experiences great sorrow. She need to know that she is an equal to any man or woman and not to allow anyone to treat her any differently. I am here to help guide her, encourage her, and protect her for one day I know that she, like my daughter, will make me proud...or should I say even prouder.
NOW ABOUT KOS
Hey Kos, I have a great amount of respect for you and for the role you play both politically and here in the blogosphere. Your contribution, and your fellow blog site owners, deserve many kudos for organizing, raising money and helping progressive from across this country get elected. I am very proud that the money I gave to John Tester, Jim Webb, Joe Sestak, Claire Mc Caskill among others made a difference. I gave those $$$ after reading the various appeals you made here at the Daily Kos. And do not regret some $$$ that were donated to candidates who were not successful in obtaining a seat in Congress. That being said may I politely disagree with you position regarding the candidacy(?)of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, and your postings regarding the same.
Markos, unlike some here I have ran for Congress. Back in 1992, I was a small business owner who had ran a successful business, at that point, for 14 years. I was not unhappy with my life, but I was frustrated by my government. I was not a professional politician, nor was I looking for permanent position in government. No instead I simply want to go and serve, and then return back to the life I knew. Such as was envsioned by our founding fathers. I raised more money then any non incumbent candidate east of the Mississipi that cycle during the primary, and did so without accepting one penny on PAC money. I barely lost the primary, less two votes per precinct, to the eventual winner who still is in Congress today. I tell you not to toot my horn but as a way of answering anyone who question Ms. Schlossberg's qualifications. Caroline like me met the age requirement, the citzenship requirement, and therefore constitutionally is qualified.
Now I realize she is not on a ballot per se but that is not an situation of her own making. She is certainly well educated, she certainly is bright, and well spoken. It seem that the only real drawback is that she isn't a professional politician.
Besides being a member of America’s most famous political family, 50-year-old Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg is president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and a member of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Committee.
She is also a director of the Commission on Presidential Debates; a director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; honorary chairwoman of the American Ballet Theatre; and vice chairwoman of New York City’s Fund for Public Schools.
Wow! Perhaps if her resume included being an elected official for past 10 yrs she would be more qualified. I doubt that. Her life experiences make her a great candidate. I would proffer that if New York was a state that favored Republican candidates and Ms. Schlossberg happened to be thinking about contesting a seat held by a sitting Republican incumbent, given her name, her connection, her ability to raise funds, her profile, high favorables ratings,low negatives ratings, you and others who are now dismissing her might be reacting very differently. I beleive the call for her to get in that race, if she express interest, would be deafening.
I find a fresh face to be fine. Maybe she isn't skillful with dealing with the media yet so what. They are jackals and imbeciles. Give me a person like Schlossberg over many of the morons who have presided over the demise of this country on either side of the aisle. I prefer a new face, a new voice, new ideas, over the same old same old. There isn;t a prefessional politician in the New York delegation I would rather see take the seat.
Markos, Ms. Schlossberg should not be penalized for her family name, nor should be chastised for seeking the seat. She can make her case to the Governor, as I sure many others are on their own behalfs. As far as I can see your real quarrel is that she is bettered positioned to win then many of the others are. Her dad summed up my retort to you when he said "Life is unfair!"