November 9th, 2016

The One with the American President

I think it is fitting since today is election day in the United States of America, to write about the one time when I met an American President.

Today is a momentous day in American History. Donald Trump was just elected President of the USA> Who would ever have imagined that? Nevertheless, Democracy reigns and the people have spoken. There is a lot of upset and rage over it, and who knows what will happen next. The market has crashed, and there are a lot of inadvertent knee-jerk reactions happening in society.

However, I am very optimistic about the future. There is so much more to what it means to have a competely new Party take over the Government, than just one face.. But I am not well versed enough to make an opinion on that, really.  Politics aside.

The last few months since my engagement. I have been SO busy. Planning a backyard wedding is no easy task, even in its pure simplicity, there are just so many details to take care of.

Then there is the matter of the baby mama drama. I have had my fill of being involved with this. However, I keep thinking back to what Pastor Luke has been teaching us about "Greater things" And being Great for God.  Doing what is right even when there is NOTHING in it for you.

Someone once told me, a Step-parent takes on all the responsibility and gets none of the reward... In the beginning, it was ok. The children's mother wasn't in the picture. While this is not ideal for the kids, it made life a little simpler.  Definitely NOT easier, since I had to pick up all the slack all the time with no break.  Now that she is back, the kids are in that awkward insecurity phase-  emotions are high at home and it is weekly damage control, since they come back all confused and hurt each week... now past feelings of emptiness by her absence are replaced by many questions, uncertainty and ofcourse, they do not know their mother..  only their distant memories of her - and getting to know her is exciting and new - like seeing the Favorite Aunt you used to love .. but also very hard on them.  But, I keep reminding myself... I am not doing this for me, or for a reward. Family is everything. I keep plowing on! I keep doing my best!~

Back to my story:

It was early 2000's - I used to travel out to the USA quite a lot before I moved here. Every trip fueled my desire to live here.  This particular trip I was in Washington DC.   I was invited to a Political Event. Politician friends who were going to this posh charity event at the time, insisted we join them.  I had nothing to wear. This was not a political Rally or something -  it was a very fancy dinner.. with the President of the United States of Freaking America! As in POTUS~

So, I took to Macy's, splashed out $500 of my holiday funds on a dress and a coat, and got all did up! (remember I was shopping in South African Currency, this this was A LOT of money)

That night, I was feeling very excited and very nervous about this event. After a few short instructions, Hors d'oeuvres and speeches, we started to mingle. Far in one corner of the crowded room of strangers, there he was. Soft, silver hair and soft blues eyes.  Smiling and nodding his head at various people POTUS~

Like I have said many times, it depends on the person or situation for me to become Star Struck.But I think being in the presence of who some people call "The most powerful man on earth" .. was just exhilarating.  I mean,  I had not yet met Madiba at that point.. so, I didn't really get to be in the presence of such an iconic political figure.

Finally, it was our turn to make small talk with POTUS... and wouldn't you know it. Hand shake and a smile. I didn't know or realize how tall he really was. Standing about 6"2 towering over me, with a very charming, polite side-ways smile, he leaned down to shake my hand.   He looked genuinely interested in people.  Maybe years of practice and he was secretly thinking about something random, but it seemed legit.

The guy we went with, started right into Political talk, while I stood there like a blitering idiot smiling, staring. Then all of a sudden, POTUS looked down at me, and said, "Hey Beautiful young lady, so you are from South Africa, what a great country".   I didn't hear any introduction about South Africa.. but I didnt really care.  Maybe I passed out. No I didnt   -  I just giggled. (i did that alot back when I was 20's, like a little kid).  I think I just said thank you. Actually,  to my total embarrassment, I am pretty sure I said: "Thank you, Your Honor". He laughed. He was looking at me still while talking with folded arms, listening to our group conversation, and just for a minute, he cracked me a very, very flirtatious smile and had a strange look in his eye. Or maybe it was indigestion. I don't know.

Again, he asked what I did for a living, I beamed as I said: "At this time, I am doing Social work" - this peaked his interest and had my political friends looking really irritated and impatient that POTUS seemed more interested in me, than in political talk  They started looking around the room restlessly to find other Politicians whose ear needed to be bent.. I just talked a little. He [POTUS] had to lean down to hear me as my accent and soft voice was hard to hear in the room buzzing with conversation.  Mid-sentence, a man's voice came on over a speak announcing some or other activity was about to begin. POTUS touched the side of my arm and said, "nice talking to you young lady.  Folks,  keep up the great work"   he said as he nodded approvingly to the rest of our group. For a brief second he turned back and left another look in my direction. Yeah - maybe I dreamed it all up - I don't know!

His security detail, who by now were keeping a much closer eye on me.. left after him like an army ensuring his safety back to his table.

I just stood there, sighing, smiling, red faced.

This was awesome.  We went to our seats, and I sat with my head leaning on one of my hands with a sheepish, crush-like grin all over my face for the rest of the night. I was in love. Well, you know what I mean!