The First Day, was His Last

Senator Ted Kennedy inspired respect - from countless people. That much is obvious. The night before my first day at work, I had trouble sleeping, and I fell asleep around 2AM feeling oddly unsettled. But I assumed that it was because I was starting work - and honestly, who wouldn't be a little weirded out?

Well - I woke up to my alarm, and a New York Times News Alert on my blackberry that Senator Kennedy had died. I start my own journey in DC, in politics, as this great public figure passed on. It keeps hitting me differently as these first two days pass. I keep wanting him to be around, because even though his critics cry out at him driving off a bridge,with a young woman who drowned (and I mean no disrespect to her here), I always felt like there was someone powerful that could truly speak for those that did not have that ability or luxery. In a country where not everyone is represented, not every group is as powerful as the next, Senator Kennedy fought for others. This has been rehashed in the news constantly - so I suppose I am being repetative. So instead, I want to focus on two things here.

The first is despite my incredible fortune, how difficult things can seem in the wider scheme.
The second is what hope is.

I'm incredibly lucky to be where I am right now - considering all of the things that are stacked against our individual selves, our friends and family, our livelihoods, our future generations, our country and the general world at large. The challenges are dauntingly high - and they seem overwhelming to many. Even with a 200,000 dollar education (and then some I suppose), I do not have many answers. What I do have is the strongest support system imaginable. I was raised by a village that is behind me 100+%. I head into work outwardly ignoring those who sit (who are homeless and poor) by the side of the road, my heart cringes painfully; I hope in a way it never stops. The work in front of our society, our world wide cultural diversity, is ridiculous.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream will never die." This statement, this claim is really about hope, not just for that day, as his supporters watched him conceed. It's about a longer kind of hope, and the work he did after showed that perhaps he was able to fulfill the pledge he made. I read this over and over again, and I wonder who will carry his work on. I am not a superstious person, not really -but I believe in a bit of symbolism. Walking the front door, headed for Dupont circle - I prepared myself for the unknown, for the work ahead. I hope to make a difference, in the cares and concerns of others. It is a goal I won't always live up to - everyone makes mistakes. He wouldn't want us to take more than a moment out of our day to mourn - there is work left to do - lots of it.

He spoke to children on Capitol Hill one afternoon while I was working in his office. He told them that although he was glad they came to Washington, and saw government at work - the real work was in their communities. He encouraged them to go home and give back. Give back. I know I don't do enough - but I hope to do more, as soon as I settle in. Each of us in our little way can give, a little is more than none. We don't all believe in one cause, or the same cause, but for Ted Kennedy, it seems as though he triumped over everything in one thing that really mattered - working for those who couldn't always find a place in politics, in policy.

My work with Roosevelt is diverse, hardly glamerous for the most part, but I am dedicated to making the national office efficient, streamlining our communication and building the strength of our network in the most detailed and technical ways. The bigger point is that we need a national office that is completely able to devote itself to students and their work.

Our new mission statement is: The Roosevelt Institute Campus Network, a student policy organization, engages a new generation of students in unique progressive activism that empowers them as leaders and promotes their ideas for change.

We want a new generation of future leaders to be thinking about the big problems now, be voicing ideas, for the changes they believe we need. Ted Kennedy was one man - a brilliant leader, and dedicated public servant - but if he continue to inspire as the cornerstone of his legacy, that is as powerful. We hope that in many ways, there are other Ted Kennedys out there - perhaps not of the same celebrity, but with the same drive and passion. His death leaves an unavoidable hole for many, and in numerous ways. Step by step, we can all begin to fill it, for he alone could not possibly have accomplished all he dreamed of - that could happen. The dream did not die with Ted Kennedy - and in my own way, I hope that our organization this year, my work with it, and our determination can help continue to fulfill the dream that belongs not just to him, but to so many others.

So, new life in Maryland/DC. I'm excited to be here, it's a bit surreal in a way, but I can't wait to get it started.

I spent today riding around with the lovely hostess (a couple is putting me up out of the generosity of their hearts) - she showed me where everything was so I am well oriented to start out my life tomorrow. Good times. I bought enough food for a few weeks - lots for the freezer. I've started to collect recipes and create weekly menus to keep the diet well balanced, and also to remain easy and do-able after a day's work.

There's a tred mill here at the house, which I will be using to stay in shape (and a gym at work for a more intense workout if I want) - and a hot tub to relax in after a long day. All in all, it's sweet.

So the evening was spent unpacking, doing work on the new website, and communicating with people. Half my life will be on email now - horray!

Tomorrow, the am is going to be preparing for the afternoon. Have to check bus times, make a mini shopping list, (for my own test run using public transport instead of a car), and get work stuff and banking together.

Then to Metro Center for my commuter pass, (cheaper than smart trip), to the bank, to the office...and saving the library for another time. Then it's back to the house to learn how to cook Tilapia....and preparing for first legitimate day of work.

So far so good.....I keep meaning to post pictures from the Seattle trip. We'll see if that ever happens.

~T