breakfast with bill

Yesterday I had the good fortune of being invited to a small fundraiser for Hillary Clinton. It was at a fancy house high on a hill, political officials, wealthy democrats and a generous serving of secret service men all rounded out the venue.

I had been invited on a fluke - I am not a mover or a shaker, I have not contributed financially, I have not publicly declared my allegiance to her campaign. But a colleague who fits the above asked me to join him and I happily agreed because I am a big fan of Bill. He was the first and last president I believed in in my lifetime. He sparked my fascination in politics and gave me someone to cheer for. He showed us that the ordinary can become extraordinary. That perseverance can make a difference. Sure, he was villified by the conservative left and made a few stupid mistakes, but the sum of this man has always impressed me and inspired me to do more.

The environment was tense; everyone wanted a piece of him and to be honest, myself included. I feel strongly, as strongly as a young girl dreams about ponies, that I should come work for his foundation. The Clinton Foundation is doing tremendous work around HIV/AIDS in Asia and Africa and I've long wanted to be a part of it (and indeed I have tried, I've lamented before about not being able to find my path into international relief work.) And I've not given up, universe. I will not give up.

Sadly, I didn't have a chance to talk about that, another pony dream crashes to the ground. But I did get to stand with him and listen to him talk about why Hillary would make a good leader. About how leadership requires listening and bi-partisan support. About poverty and bridging the divide. That we have a chance to become someone the world likes again. Once again I am inspired to do more, to not give up. To believe change is possible. After his speech he was able to take 4-5 questions and I was fortunate enough for one of those to be mine.

I spontaneously raised my hands among the throng of others. I was very close to the podium (that picture isn't magnified) when he looked right at me, smiled and pointed. At me. Dude.

Mr. President, I've worked with homeless men, women and children for the past decade. You've talked a lot today about bridging the divide domestically and internationally. About poverty and illness. But you haven't mentioned housing. To me, all the health care policy in the world won't be effective without also addressing the lack of affordable housing. What are your thoughts on what can be done?

And he listened and nodded and said good question with a smile. His eye contact is spectacular, my knees were starting to wobble. He responded eloquently about the mistakes being made right now in regards to public housing and to the efforts he is personally making in New Orleans. To be honest, I was so in the moment with this man that I forgot the rest of his answer because for a minute those 200 or so other people disappeared and time stood still. And what I should have included was I would be happy to help you with this. But I didn't and the moment shifted and time moved on.

I am not a mover or a shaker. I am just a girl with a desire to do more. To work in Asia or Africa and be a part of solutions and policy and programs there. To see an end to homelessness. I don't want fame or fortune. But I do want to be a part of something bigger - that when all is said and done I can leave this world feeling like I contributed to it being a better place. I want to lead by example so M has something to believe in and hopefully, a better world to grow old in. A place where children live more equitably, in health and homes and schools.

And for a brief moment in time I felt that energy and it's potential. Standing in the face of extraordinary leadership can do that to a girl. And all that talk about charisma is exactly right.

Not bad at all for an ordinary Sunday morning in June.