I had the absolute pleasure of visiting with one of my best friends from Edwards '08 this week. We stayed up all night drinking beer, watching West Wing Christmas episodes and reminiscing about the good, the bad, and the ugly of our days in Iowa.
That Christmas my boyfriend drove my car off an icy road into a cornfield and a friendly neighbor rescued us with a tractor. Then we drove to a former naval officer's supporter housing, ate various kinds of greasy overcooked vegetables and pies, and watched a special on the top ten most unique McDonalds. It sounds like the last place I'd want to find myself now, but at the time it was perfect. It was our first day off in months and one of the last times we'd all be together.
A week later, we'd participate in the historic Iowa caucuses. Then I'd be off to South Carolina on a losing campaign and the rest, as they say, is history. Still, if I could go back in time to tell myself one thing about that cycle, it wouldn't be that Barack Obama would win the caucus or what a jerk John Edwards was. It would be to appreciate those moments because for all the craziness, the yelling, the poor planning and the frustration, I would never be a field organizer again... and as glad as I am to have grown up since then, there are some experiences you just can't have doing anything else!
My New Year's resolution is to spend less time worrying about the future and find more things to appreciate in the moment.
I am incredibly grateful for friends I've kept from campaigns and the new ones I've had the good fortune to meet this week.
Seasons Greetings and Campaign Love,
Nancy
P.S.
Watch this Christmas themed 2008 Caucus video! I couldn't find a way to embed it.
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