Congressman John Dingell Walks Into a Building

I suppose we could go with a joke here. But the true story is even more unbelievable so here it goes.

First off let me say that our Coffee Party Allen Park Michigan meetings happen on Saturdays. I overbooked my weekend so I changed our summit to Sunday.

I also changed the time to 2pm, from 12 noon, in case of church conflict.

That was the first two things that had to happen.

Next was Terry Williams (NEW head of the Michigan Coffee party) just happen to pick this day to visit our little coffee shop chapter of the Coffee Party meeting world. So for him, being new in his position, this is another funny moment in timing.

Then our meeting ran super extra long and people started to trickle in late, very late and still later.

Then when our official meeting was over Doug, Terry and myself stayed to chat for about 20 more minutes. Even standing for a few to continue our discussion.

Here is where timing is everything.

We were signing a thank you card during the days meeting for the passage of health care reform. My plan was to give it to Mr. Dingell because of historical reasons. But barring our ability to get a meeting with Mr. Dingell we would go with thanking Congressman John Conyers.

The card was signed throughout the afternoon. And each time it was signed I was asked, who will be getting this card? And each time I would reply ‘I would like to get to hand it to Dingell, but it probably will be impossible. But I have already contacted John Conyers and I am on a list, on a list to get an appointment that is. May take a while, they are busy men. But with any luck…but giving this to Mr. Dingell would be so…incredible.’ I gave this short speech to about 10 people today between 2-5pm. Never thinking that I had a snowballs chance of getting past handing the card to an aid. But I never give up hope and I am very persistent, so my odds were better than none.

And then we were walking out of the building when who is standing at the doorway holding open the door for us to leave.

YOU BET HE WAS!! THE Congressman himself. Whose unstoppable fight to get the people of the United States health care, and to keep it in the forefront of American politics never wavered. His father before him took up this flag and the battle was long and hard. And I am sure he is looking down with a pride, that must be indescribable, for his son .

WE WON!!

So naturally we (Me, Doug and Terry) just gushed and awwed and ahhhed. While he was left holding the door for us. Well it took me a minute but we came to our senses and got the door from him so he could get in out of the chilly, rainy Michigan weather. He is such a gentleman he never complained or shouted ‘Will someone get this door!’ He was great in person. Very personable.

Of course he did not really make it into the building, he made it into the hallway. We were so excited we lost all decorum. lol. But in a good way. Because our group in general is very pleased with the passage of hcr. It is a very good, overdue start.

We stood in the hallway and it took me a second to remember, in the spinning in my head, that there was a card JUST FOR HIM in my hand.

‘We have a card for you. Do you mind if we get a photo?’ I managed to squeak out like a teenager at a rock concert. As I fumbled in my bag for my camera. Which was well charged and already in my bag from the photowalk the previous day. Where normally the shot would have been taken on my camera phone at about 1/4 megapixel resolution. A quality which may have allowed you to see our faces clearly-NOT. And certainly could not be blown up to the size I will make the one taken on my camera.

‘Yes. You should be in it too.’ said his wife, wonderful woman, reaching for the camera and took the pic. Thank You! Mrs. Dingell because there was no way I was calm enough to even think that one through.

There went my plan to calmly meet with him and practice my speaking so that I sounded half sensible.

Imagine the odds…..