...this land is my land.
As a result of my diary "Roosevelt with a suntan," my grandparents received more than 350 cards, letters, photos, a few hats, a load of buttons, flowers and cookies and a whole lot of love from every nook and cranny in America, from sea to shining sea and from all over the world.
I want to thank you all for so generously and warmly sharing part of your lives, your hopes and dreams with my family. The mailman told Grandpa he's never seen such a thing in his entire career. I received phone calls from relatives from whom I had not heard in years. My cousin brought Harold and Virgina to a computer and let them read your comments from their "cyber-grandchildren" and they enjoyed them all.
Here are the photos that I promised. And, those of you who left your address, I can assure you that Grandma and Grandpa will write you back in time.
As you look through the photos, please enjoy this song, originally written by the famous folksinger Woodie Guthrie and sung by Johnny Cash.
Grandpa with the first day of cards tucked into his suspenders: "I can't believe so many people care!" (Can you I.D. your card?)
Grandma with her own hat. You changed her mind!"
Virginia and Harold's wedding photo. They've been married 66 years.
Harold's notice to appear before the Stark County Relief Agency to take a physical for the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Harold with his CCC crew in Libby, Montana.
In this big old land, we are all connected to one another; our future connected to the past. Harold and Virgina's story is one small part of a larger American story, one whose next chapter is about to be written.
From my family to yours...
Thank you
And, don't forget to vote for "Roosevelt with a suntan."
When we pull on anything in the universe, we find that it's connected to everything else. --John Muir
Update: Thanks for rec'ing this so everyone who participated can see the results. Thanks to my mother for taking the pictures, but she forgot the crystal Obama hologram booth. Oh well...another day, another diary.
Update 2: If you'll let me suggest, elections are all about narrative. The winner is the side that controls the narrative. To take the country back, you have to take back and re-claim the stories of who we were, who we are, and who we want to be. Talk to those close to you about what is important to them, what they have found valuable about this country from their own experiences and from those of their parents and their grandparents. Talk to them about emotional connections, not about issues. I guarantee you'll have more success.
Update 3: Speaking of narrative...(thanks to nonnie9999):