Memories

Memories are like rivers and streams of scenes I’ve known and places I’ve been. Sometimes a few notes of music, a chance word, or fragrance will trigger a chain of remembrances. My sister, Esther and I often reminisce about our shared experiences. In the telling, we compare notes for accuracy and are delighted when our memories mesh.

I have been engrossed in the television coverage of Obama’s train trip to Washington and the preparations for his inaugural, I know those who waved as the train passed, and those who will attend the actual inaugural, will have treasured memories of a significant event in American history. Those of us viewing the events on television will also have a sense of history and memories to talk and write about for a long time to come.

During the last several days I have remembered a couple of moments when something pertaining to a president of the United States has lingered in my mind. Why they should still be with me with such an acute awareness is beyond me because the moments are just that, fractions a second and without a preamble or a follow up indicating a grand design.

One moment that replays itself from time to time is President FDR’s inaugural speech when I was 15. In my mind’s eye I had started climbing the stairs to my bedroom after being outside shoveling the snow from the front sidewalk. It had been snowing heavily all day and I had gone out several times to clear the sidewalk, but at this moment I wasn’t feeling well with a headache. I heard Roosevelt’s speech on the radio and stopped on the stairs to listen for a moment. As I leaned against the banister, I watched the falling snow thru the bay window in the living room. I have no idea what the weather was like for Roosevelt, but I associate falling snow with inaugural speeches.

My memory also holds a newspaper photograph of President Truman on his daily walk with reporters trailing after him. I don’t remember the caption, but I associate that photo with his being angry with critics of his daughter’s concert.

I have never seen an American president in person. I know them from newspapers, radio and television and of course the movie tone news. I also read about them. My perceptions of them individually come form those sources. Attitude toward them for approval or disapproval is determined by my interest in politics.

I wonder and hope I would have supported Lincoln if I had been present at his debates with Douglas. In those very early years when he was a country lawyer I might have been a supporter because he might have been a neighbor with a reputation for winning law cases. As a northerner, I would have been against slavery and would have approved the emancipation of slaves, but I seriously doubt I would have ever dreamed a black person would be president.

In a few days Obama will be sworn into office with an approval rating of 78%. The problems facing him are dire and complex, but the country is anxious and willing to help him. His confident smile is encouragement to all of us that this memorable moment in our history will truly empower us to be the Americans our constitution says we are.

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