Posted by
Ron Devito on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 10:48:43 AM
By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com
Governor Sarah Palin
came to New York on Saturday. I have been looking forward to sharing
the details with you, but I needed a little time. First, you have to
understand how I function. I am wired as a thinker. Some say I think
too much. It takes me time to process things. Then when I share
experiences, I purposely leave things out. That is because I am also
wired to feel that some experiences are cheapened when you try to put
them into words. So much gets lost in the process. Also, for me, trying
to write or speak about things that matter to me deeply is sometimes a
rather painful experience--even if the experience was joyful. I know
some of you just read that and thought, "What?!" But I know
instinctively that there are a few who thought, "I totally know what
you're talking about, Adrienne."
So here goes...
I was
excited when I learned the governor would be in Rochester. Rochester is
a four hour drive for me, a short drive as far as I was concerned. I
went to college right outside of Rochester, so I have friends there. It
would be a great opportunity to see Governor Palin again and visit with
my friend, Paula, since I would be staying at her house.
The
highlight for me was being given the opportunity to serve at the book
signing. I use the word "serve" on purpose because that is exactly the
way I saw it. I was glad that I would be able to do whatever needed to
be done for Governor Palin. It didn't matter what it was. I wanted to
get to spend time with her, but I also knew that if helping out meant
otherwise, then so be it. I was just glad to serve someone who has
served God, her family, and the American people so faithfully. That was
my number one desire--and the Lord opened that door for me. It amazes
me how good God is.
I got up at 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning and
drove to Rochester. When I arrived at the store prior to its opening, I
saw the multitude of people outside. Wow! The line went all the way
down and around. Many, if not most, of these people had camped out all
night--in cold Rochester, NY.
I entered the store, and my work
day began. I met up with the others who were working on the Palin team
for this event. Marty and Russ were two of them. Between them there was
incredible experience working for President Bush, with the McCain-Palin
campaign, and doing advance work for years. It was interesting to be
able to get to talk and share throughout the day.
We were
responsible for various things, like setting up the book display,
planning the route the crowd would take, deciding how things would
flow, choosing the music that would play in the background during the
signing. We set up the table where she would be signing and arranged
the back room where she would be entering, getting it ready for
pictures, etc., as we greeted her upon her entrance.
One
responsibility was addressing people in the crowd when there were too
many people and the wristbands were depleted. Of course, everyone was
hoping that they would still get to meet Governor Palin, but with the
crowds she's drawing, we just weren't sure. We told the people that if
she was able she would surely sign for even those who did not secure
wristbands, but there was no guarantee. The governor had sent
autographed book plates, however, which made many people very happy.
Marty,
Russ, and I went to Wegman's for lunch, and after eating we picked up a
few things that the governor would need. As we gathered the items, I
couldn't help but think back to the anonymous McCain staffers who
called her a diva and said she was demanding things during the
campaign. Her response to that had been that she didn't ask for
anything except an occasional diet Dr. Pepper. Sure enough, that was
about all that was on her list: diet soda, water, and some straws.
Hardly a diva's demand!
A couple hours prior to the governor's
expected arrival, everything was in place. I changed clothes and got to
mingle with some more people outside. It was cool to meet people who
knew who I was, some from Auburn in June, some from reading my blog,
some from Team Sarah. Everyone was so excited about meeting Sarah Palin.
In
the back room, I was privileged to meet Ms. Betina and her dentist, who
had driven hours to be there. I knew she was a friend of the Heaths.
Mrs. Heath had told me about her before, and I was looking forward to
meeting her. We had a wonderful conversation, and I enjoyed her wisdom
and strong Christian faith.
Two lines had formed outside: one
for wristband wearers and one for those without who had lined up
anyway, just in case she would be able to get to them before she had to
depart. I had a desire to go talk to those without wristbands--just
wanted to encourage them. I felt like being around them, as I had such
respect for their perseverence. So I went out and talked to some
people. Some tried to get me to tell them which way she would enter and
if she would arrive on the bus. Everyone wanted to see the bus. No bus
in New York, though. I laughed with those asking, but I gave no
information, and we joked about that.
When word came that she
was just a few minutes away, those who were going to greet her and work
that night gathered in the back room to wait for her arrival.
I
knew she would have Piper and Trig with her, and I was looking forward
to seeing them again. I knew that Mr. Heath, the governor's dad, was
also in New York, and I figured he and I would laugh about basketball
again--and we did. He was talking about a game of H-O-R-S-E.
I
was especially looking forward to seeing Mrs. Heath. Originally she did
not expect to be in New York, so when I had learned she would be, I was
so glad I would get to see her. Like her daughter, there is something
very special about her. I couldn't help but remember the last words she
spoke to me on July 26th in Alaska when I said goodbye to her at the
Governor's Farewell Picnic.
I wrote (emphasis added):
At the end of the picnic when I went to say goodbye to the Heaths, Mrs. Heath said, "Oh, we will see you again." I said, "I know you will."
I
remember blogging then that there was just something about the way she
said it that resonated as truth within my spirit--whether she realized
it or not. Read that full post
here.
I was delighted to see her again.
The
governor was greeted by everyone in the back who awaited her arrival. I
was last in that receiving line, and she gave me a warm hug, and we
conversed briefly before she went out to sign for over a thousand
waiting people. It's funny because the first time I met her in New
York, I felt like
I did all the talking.
This time she talked, and I was humbled by what she said. All I could
do when she spoke to me was reciprocate her own words, for they were
more of what I wanted to say to her than what I expected her to say to
me. I especially cherish the last two words she spoke to me prior to
heading out to the people. It wasn't like she spoke them
to me; it was more like she spoke them
into
me. I thanked her and then said the same to her, for they so apply to
her. I know you'd like to know what she said, but that's one of those
things I will keep to myself. Sorry...
Jason Recher, who has
been alongside Governor Palin through every aspect of this tour, offers
loyal assistance to her. Now, every person who was working the event
was to be strategically placed. It was vital that the supporters knew
where to go, that the line continued to move, and that everything went
smoothly. I was going to sort of be floating throughout the store.
However, Jason sent for me to stand next to him at the table with the
governor. I was feeding the books to him, and he was then feeding them
to her to sign. Sometimes he would have to go take care of something,
so I would feed the books to the governor directly. The whole
experience was so completely surreal for me. I totally believe in
having a servant's heart, and here I was doing what I wanted to do:
just serving.
Being up front like that allowed me to see what
goes on, which made me so appreciate Jason, whom I had met in Auburn.
Again, I just respect people who are not necessarily looking to be seen
or be applauded, who simply see someone they can support and do so.
Jason gained my respect back in Auburn, but it grew when he spoke out a
few times in recent months to counter the attacks by McCain staffers
who were trying to throw the governor under the bus with flat-out lies.
He calls a spade and spade and does so in no uncertain terms. While
some of these staffers were acting like children, Jason stood up for
the truth like a real man.
I watched him sit next to the
governor, give her books to sign, make sure she took a break to stand
and stretch. I watched him hold her soda can for her so she could take
a drink. I observed him get up from the table and come back with Trig
in his arms, sit Piper on his lap at the table, and converse when
necessary with Governor Palin. In case you cannot tell, I love people
who have a heart to serve. I was impressed with Jason for that reason.
I thank God that she has loyal people like that around her. That has
been my prayer for a long time.
The best part of being at the
table with the governor, however, was watching the people's interaction
with her. I found myself overwhelmed at times. She has touched so many
lives. People were approaching her in line, and as they came near, I
could see some suppressing tears. Others just let them flow. One woman
said she had told herself she would not cry. Others were shaking. Of
course, over and over, people were staring and saying, "She's so
beautiful!" I remember hearing that in both Auburn and Alaska. I will
repeat what I said when I first met her: television and pictures do not
do justice to how beautiful she is, and you could see that on the faces
and hear it on the lips of those gathered. They were in awe. She
possesses both an inward and outward radiance.
Governor Palin
asked every person's name, shook everybody's hand, and never denied a
request. Technically, she wasn't going to personalize anything, but she
never said no when asked. Technically, she wasn't going to engage in
too much conversation due to the number of people gathered, but she
didn't rush anyone along. She listened to all the people--young and
old--who said they loved her, that America needs her, and that she
inspires them. She listened the the veterans and reminded them that the
book is dedicated to patriots like them. She listened as some spoke of
her son, Track, and wanted her to give him something they had brought.
She took extra time with those in wheel chairs and asked about their
conditions. She encouraged a young woman headed to college who said she
was nervous. I heard the governor say, "Don't be nervous. The world is
your oyster." She congratulated newlyweds, and shook little children's
hands. She commented on patriotic T-shirts and asked what people do for
their life's work. She proclaimed, "God bless you," and repeatedly
said, "Thank you." People told her to keep fighting, not to let them
get her down, begged her to run in 2012, and one even said, "You are
our country's last hope." Many told her they were praying for her and
believing for God's best in her life. I was blown away.
I
already knew people respect Governor Palin and appreciate what she
represents. However, there was nothing quite like being right there, a
foot away, seeing the tears, hearing the hearts, and feeling the love.
It was real, it was tangible--and it was reciprocated. I say again what
I have always said, and what I knew in my bones the first time I met
her: Sarah Palin is the real deal.
What a joy it was to see a
smiling Trig and Piper, tired but helping out at the table. I looked
back a couple times to see Mr. Heath smiling at his daughter and Mrs.
Heath looking on approvingly. At one point, as I was working with the
books, Mrs. Heath came behind me with a hug and just said my name.
The
governor came early to Rochester and stayed late, determined to greet
everyone, even when it caused her to run late for her departure. I was
so glad when the crowd without the wristbands got to meet her and have
their books signed. I said to a couple of them as they waited to greet
the governor, "Persistence pays off, doesn't it?" I enjoyed conversing
with people as they approached. Some were voicing their excitement or
wiping their tears. I told one who was trying to maintain composure, "I
totally understand."
Much too soon, it seemed, Governor Palin
was on her way, having made some avid supporters ecstatic, most of whom
camped outside Borders in Rochester, New York all night long, many of
whom remained there all day--just for a few seconds to tell her to keep
on keeping on, to share her impact on their lives, and to express
gratitude for what she represents and the sacrificial service she has
given in spite of the abuse she has received. Her signing their copy of
Going Rogue was just icing on the cake.
Shortly after
she left, I went in the back to gather my belongings, and a few of us
were going to go grab a bite to eat. That included Kristina from
Inspiration Sarah, her sister, Katelyn, Ron from
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's Accomplishments, and
VidSweet.
I had been on my feet all day, and my dogs were barking, as they say.
When I came out, ready to leave with the rest, a man stormed his way
inside, threw eggs at a display of the governor's books, and said,
"Sorry, I missed you, Sarah!"
I was in a bit of shock for a
split second. When my brain thawed, my first thought was, "Did he get
eggs on my autographed books?!" Eventually I thought of my clothes and
asked if I had eggs on them. Sure enough, I did, for I had been
standing right next to the display. I then went out after him and was
told that he was gone. After standing around like, "What in the world
just happened?" Kristina said, "Are you going to change clothes?"
I
changed, and when I came out I was told that the cops apprehended him
and needed to talk to me. When I saw him, I verbally lit into him and
asked what the deal was. He admitted that his intent was to hit Sarah
with the eggs. He was sorry that he hadn't gotten there sooner. When he
realized he hit me with the eggs, he apologized repeatedly and asked
for my address so he could send me money for the dry cleaning bill.
(Don't even ask a dumb question. Y'all know I did not give that man my
address!) He seemed to be a complete nut, and I got on his case about
his trying to hurt the governor. He said he had watched something on
television about her that made him upset and he let his emotions get to
him. What in the world?!
It all boiled down to his having to pay
for the several books he destroyed. I chose not to press charges, since
I would have to stay there later to go through the process and return
there to go to court (at least once). I live four hours away.
I
was tired, and it was late. I wasn't sure what to do at first, but I
made the decision to let him go. The police felt they had sufficiently
scared him but left the decision up to me. Although I later regretted
letting him go, I am back to believing I did the right thing. Legally,
I was supposed to charge him for hitting me with eggs. However, I
really couldn't have cared less about the eggs on my clothing. My real
beef was that he wanted to hurt Governor Palin. So I really would have
been pressing charges because of his intent, rather than what really
took place. I let him go and let the cops deal with him. They had him
in the back of the cop car.
The scary part was seeing that a
person could just as easily have come in with something more dangerous
than some eggs and done some real damage. The media needs to get its
act together. Many in the mainstream media have done their best to
demonize Governor Palin. They have painted her as anti-women,
anti-books, anti-animal rights, anti-Black (MSNBC loves that one),
anti-everything. They have said she is a liar, dangerous, and a
religious nut. In my mind, their vile, biased, and demonic attacks
against her hold some responsibility for the egg-attack. So-called
journalists need to return to what they were hired to do--fairly report
facts not push an agenda--or they will find they have caused more
damage than some books and clothing splattered with yoke.
The
Egg-Man certainly could not taint the day. I had rather it be me than
the governor anyway, and I tell you what: dude should be very, very
glad she was no longer there. If he had come a few minutes earlier and
managed to hit her with eggs, he would have gotten jacked up. I will
leave it at that. It seems like his tardiness was an act of God, not
just for Governor Palin, but for him. Trust me; it would not have been
pretty.
Sunday evening is when it all sort of hit me. The
previous day's events came swirling back at me, and I was humbled
beyond words. When I reflected, all I could do was thank God. In fact,
even as I worked up front during the signing and looked over--listening
to people, watching them--at times I was just silently praying--for
her, for God's plan through her. At times, I just found myself quietly
saying, "Thank You, Jesus." But Sunday evening and Monday morning as I
prayed, it really hit me, and the cloud that had separated the full
intensity of wonder from my consciousness lifted, and I was able to get
a peek at the full picture. You all won't understand that because that
is something between God and me, but the fogginess cleared--and I wept.
Okay, there, I said it! I've never pretended not to be emotional!
I am so happy for Governor Palin, for Jason Recher, for her entire staff--all those who have worked so hard to make the
Going Rogue
book tour such a huge success. The American people have spoken. We
appreciate a real leader. We're not using an Ivy League education, a
law degree, and the praises of elitists as our measurement for
leadership either. We're smart enough to have chosen--as our
yardstick--integrity, common sense, intelligence, hard work, love for
our soldiers, and a commitment to freedom.
People slept outside
for just one chance to meet the woman who fits that bill. They went
without food. They endured the damp, cold weather. They waited in long
lines. And they hoped against hope that--even when the huge crowd made
it look impossible--they would get a chance to see her and to say the
same thing to her she has been saying to them, "Thank you."
Cops manning the outside of the store
Supporters waiting for Governor Palin
Russell, who worked for the Mccain-Palin campaign, posing with the Governor's book.
Eggs on my clothes
Governor Palin came around the table to visit with supporter in wheel chair
Crowd waiting in line
Eggs!
In back room with the Heaths, Ms. Betina, and others
Posing at the table the governor will use later to sign books
Posing with Kristina and Jason Recher
Ms. Betina and I in back room
Helping Governor Palin (H/T VidSweet)
Governor Palin listens as supporters share with her (H/T VidSweet)
I can't help but smile (H/T VidSweet)
Video clip of working alongside Governor Palin. Thank you, VidSweet, for filming the video. Thank you also,
Sheya, for your help with the video.