My Blog Post from May 11, 2008:
Today,filling out my ballot..I am not making this up...my hand shook! I was so afraid of making an error, I was so intent on how significant and historic and meaningful this vote is for me. So many of us have never donated or worked on a campaign before and now we are. I am humbled by this experience; I am in awe of US and of the power Barack has awakened in us. We are the very definition of HOPE-this immeasurable, intangible quality that has us working so diligently for this campaign. Thanks, Barack, for your inspiration and your belief in the power of millions of voices calling for change.
Here are some responses to that original posting (it was on Mother's Day, hence the references):
YOUR COOKBOOK is available! Just click on the url for each chapter: you can print each chapter directly from the screen or perform a "Save as" option and save them to your computer or a disk. See the links below---NEW FEATURE: CAMPAIGN COOKBOOK PHOTO ALBUM!!
Thanks to Susie, Jeff, Cheryl, SaSa, JLE, Sara and Nonny for their assistance.
This cookbook is dedicated to the memory of my daughter, Carrie. This cookbook is for WE, THE PEOPLE!
Appetizers http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_11cq9vdhdp&hl=en
Breakfast/Brunch http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_12dhwzkqqn&hl=en
Cookies http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_23hrkktdgg&hl=en
Entrees http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_30g2cjzxdx&hl=en
Soups http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_9gqp7bfc6&hl=en
Salads http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_24cm7c95cm&hl=en
Various and Sundry http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_25fkvgfbd5&hl=en
Vegetables/Sides http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_15g6mwj3db&hl=en
RECIPE UPDATES http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dj8zrg4_28drjwmstb&hl=en
NEW FEATURE-Campaign Cookbook Photo Album! http://picasaweb.google.com/my.montana1/Picasa
PLEASE MAKE A DONATION! THIS IS A FREE DOWNLOAD-BUT IS INTENDED AS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CAMPAIGN! I suggest a donation, it is NOT mandatory, as this cookbook is in the public domain. I collected all recipes and stories by requesting them on the Obamablog and also some of IAforObama's collection of caucus recipes (with her kind permission). All these recipes are from us, your BLOGGING OBAMA FAMILY!
To organize your cookbook, I suggest using a 2-3 inch three-ring binder. However, you could also use a local copy shop to bind the recipes for you-it is fairly inexpensive, but then you won't be able to easily add the new recipes. I have intentionally left out page numbers so new recipes can be added easily to the book. I have deliberately kept the format very simple (no photos, etc) so that it is an easy and fast download. I also have the chapters stored in separate files, so it is easier to edit and add new recipes as we go along. Then all you have to do is print off the newly added recipe, and not the whole book! You can also burn the recipes to a CD/DVD if you prefer.
Some people have used a favorite logo, picture or photo for a cover page. I like the idea of everybody making this a very personal cookbook. After all, this campaign is something we will tell our children and grandchildren: How we came together for the common good to make history for our beloved country. This cookbook is a little reminder and keepsake of our time together.
Dear World:
I am still grieving, of course, after two years without Carrie's good heart and kind spirit. There are many hours and minutes spent admonishing myself for not being “good enough” as a parent to her. She was an accomplished angel on this old earth, and she taught every one of us who ever had the privilege of knowing her, how to be a good person. So, I wanted to hurt, to suffer physically, for having been a less than perfect mother. After pondering this for several months, a few weeks ago I received my first tattoo. It is very pretty: her name, Carrie, and her birthdate , 02-16-73, on my inner right wrist, with a small three-leaved shamrock underneath. The shamrock represents the half of me that is Irish, the three leaves represent my three daughters.
Hurt like the devil, too, right there where the skin is like gossamer. And it was wonderful. But it really, really hurt and I vowed, “Never again.”
I wanted something to represent my appreciation for all this campaign has been to me since February of 2007. It has buoyed me; kept me afloat during days when I was certain I would sink with the pain of losing a well-loved child. Barack's words, on the day he announced his candidacy, on that cold day in Illinois, drew me in and comforted me, when I was sure I could never feel comfort from any source.
Carrie’s death gave me resolve: to try to be more “Carrie-like” and less cynical.
This campaign has given me purpose and focus.
It is comforting to know I will have them both with me always.
My lovely, wonderful, 33-year-old daughter, Carrie, passed away suddenly on May 6, 2006. She was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of five and died as a result of a not-very-well-known syndrome called Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). She suffered from the side effects of the anti-seizure medication she was taking, but was a dearly loved and appreciated employee of her local Safeway store.
In my grief, I turned to the internet to try to find out why Carrie died. I hadn't heard of SUDEP before, In my search for answers, I came across a wonderful speech Mr. Obama gave to CURE -Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy-on March 11, 2005.
Link is a very moving speech. It gave me some hope in finding a cure for the terrible disease which robbed me of my child. What I am trying to say is, Mr. Obama's eloquent speech drew me in and comforted me during a most painful time in my life. Even his written words "speak" I have noticed.
Carrie would have joined me in supporting Mr. Obama.
Carrie's birthday is tomorrow, February 16.
