September 16, 2006
Saying goodbye to heroes
I have to come right out and admit that I don't do grief well. And while it seems that every person you talk to in Austin has their own personal Ann Richards story, I got nothing. I never ran into her in a hallway during the 1988 Democratic Convention, was never in an elevator with her, and was certainly never the recipient of any of her sage, folksy advice. All I've got is this.
Sister Ruth and I were at the Capitol early this morning to pay our last respects to Ann Richards. Well, not so early that we saw the DPS carry the casket into the building, and not so early that we could add a Bill Clinton sighting into our logbooks. But early enough that there was half an hour or more to wait before they opened the doors and let is file slowly around the rotunda. We ran into some friends and passed the time talking. Sister Ruth spoke about how we are all unready for our heroes to pass on, especially when we look around our own generation unable to discern who might take their places
As it happened, there were actually two events going on. While hundreds lined up to mourn Governor Richards, the Capitol was also the starting point for a parade commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Austin Independent School DIstrict, and all the marching bands and drill teams were forming up in the great circular drive that circles the Capitol to await their turn to march down Congress Avenue. And so there were two lines of people, one solemn, the other celebratory. I think that former school teacher Ann Richards, our last governor who actually cared about public education would have smiled at the juxtaposition.
Farewell, Ann. Your leaving us hurts more than I can say.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at September 16, 2006 09:30 PM
