That's the first line of John Denver's song "Poems, Prayers and Promises." About seven years ago, life-long friend and former State Treasurer employee Marilyn Parrish, decided it was time to have a reunion of office and campaign staffers who worked with my dad during his tenure as Treasurer from 1972-1980. So, one Saturday in April, the whole family (my kids included) drove to Jefferson City to reunite with folks we hadn't seen in almost thirty years. It was, in a word (or five), a balm to the soul.
We laughed. We cried (I cried). We told campaign war stories. We remarked on how old we all looked, though I'm sure it was phrased "You haven't changed a bit!." I was a teenager during those years and, though I didn't realize it at the time (who remembers much of anything besides how may state championships we won - two - or who was dating whom at that age?), these folks had a profound impact on my life. Dad had a really remarkable staff of young men and women who worked alongside him; I did some calculations and most of them were in their mid- to late-20's when they were hired. They were on the front lines of administrating millions and millions of dollars of the state's funds and charting/carrying out campaign strategies. I'm sure glad I wasn't doing that at that age...
My friend, Michelle Able, and I used to hang out and shoot the breeze in the offices of Bob Jordan, Rick Ravenhill and Bob Holden (now former Governor Bob Holden). Truth be told, we were really supposed to be doing legislative research for a high school class. Don't tell anyone. The night my dad lost the primary election for the 1980 governor's race, it was Bob Holden who held my hand and listened to me blubber about not doing enough during the campaign. He still calls to check in on mom and dad from time to time.
Hearing people talk about Dad was especially touching and, I think, gratifying to him. Every person who spoke testified to Dad's honesty, integrity and fairness, qualities that seem to be in short supply when we think of our leaders (or would-be leaders) today.
They also spoke about the model he provided for the course of their lives. They spoke of my mom's support and her generous spirit, which are still central to her character today. I've always known these things about my parents, but it was wonderful to hear that, after all those years, these people still had such high regard for them.
In the days that followed, I reflected on how blessed I was during those formative teenage years. Oh sure, there was plenty of teenage angst and I gave my mom more than her fair share of grey hair, but really? How many people can honestly say that they love their parent's colleagues from years gone by? How many people even knew their parent's colleagues? Being a public servant - and going through multiple campaigns - is sometimes a grueling experience. But it's also galvanizing - pulling together to achieve a common goal. And as magnificent as it was to win, it was equally devastating when the efforts fell short. Either way, friendships and bonds were made that have stood the test of time.
It was a rich, satisfying way to grow up. So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
And talk of poems, prayers and promises
And things that we believe in
How sweet it is to love someone
How right it is to care
How long it's been since yesterday
What about tomorrow?
What about our dreams
And all the memories we share? - John Denver
(I purposely left out the refrain, which includes a reference to sitting around the fire with his old lady, passing the pipe around...that sort of stuff DID NOT happen on my dad's watch...I don't think).
NEXT TIME...my character flaws. And you can bet I'll be working my darnedest to convince you that they're really assets.
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