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This is my last week of being involved with my friend’s Mayoral campaign. My friend is now Mayor-Elect. The last bit of work on my plate is the Inauguration, along with getting the office cleaned out so it can be turned back over to the landlord.
An older man told me there hasn’t been this much positive feeling in my old hometown since the announcement that World War II was over. Everyone is excited.
There are indeed a few folks with sour grapes, which I guess can’t be helped. It seems there will always be two percent of any group that just can’t be happy no matter what.
There are many details yet to be covered in these last seven days. If you’ve ever planned an event where several thousand might show up, with everything timed out and happening “just-so,” then you have an idea of the planning an Inauguration entails.
My friend will be Inaugurated on Tuesday. He’ll take office on Wednesday. I’ll get the office swept out and make sure there’s no loose ends from the Inauguration event. Then I’ll saunter up the street to City Hall, and see what the Mayor’s office looks like.
Then the next day I’m flying to Illinois to work on a library, once again using my hands as well as my brain. I’ll be in a snowbound world for five weeks while the guys I’ve worked with on this campaign are working through their own challenges at City Hall.
In some ways, it will be a relief to be away from the constant details of campaigning and event planning. In another way, Illinois will be very similar, except I’ll be in a frozen country far from home.
And in yet another way, it makes me sad to be leaving. I’ve had the most amazing opportunities I’ve ever had — and I’ve had quite a few fine ones. I’ve met good people. I’ve made friends I’ll have for life. I watched people grow, and I’ve grown myself. Some old friendships have deepened, in part because we were able to disagree but stay in the game together.
I’ve been a small part of several examples of getting things done. I’ve had the chance to work with men who know volumes about working with others, and have learned from them. I’ve learned a great deal about the importance of simple details, and how important it is to take care of simple things like good phone messages.
At the same time, I’ve seen how many people just don’t care about simple details. Some of what I’ve seen has astounded me, aside from being aggravating. But then, in the middle of a frustrating day, I’ll meet a person here and there who takes care of business, who does their part, who helps thing go.
I entered into this campaign because my friend needed help. I’d been looking for a way to do some good, but had no idea how to accomplish that. Helping my friend helped me.
(Editor’s Note: Reach David Clark at P.O. Box 148, Cochran, GA 31014, or email him at dclark@outofthesky.com.)
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