First things first: The Birthday Card!

[TayTay]

As we all know by know, we had a unique opportunity to talk with Sen. Kerry last night. We were able to give him the precious birthday cards that our wonderful Babylonsister designed and created for us. (Oh honey, we owe you!) We were also, in the very limited time that we had, able to talk about the incredible and amazing people who come here and post in this group. I think and hope that we were also able to convey to JK that the ones who were in Boston were certainly not the whole of this forum and that we brought the goodwill, hope, love and concern of many, many other people with us. We tried to tell him that when he was looking at us, he was looking at LittleClarkie who once organized a prayer circle when she heard the Senator was going to Iraq. (BTW LC, thank you from a grateful Senator. That touched his heart.) We told him about the other people here and that, though they couldn't be in Boston, they were with us in spirit and in intent. (Gawd, I cannot tell you how much that meant to me to say. And I think it meant a lot for everyone else as well. We are, after all, part of a group, and very proud to be so.)

That Birthday card! OMG! JK opened the card and read it. (We saw him do that.) So to everyone who signed that, ya, it got read. The collection of postmarks that showed how well traveled that card was, was a great idea. It was very touching. So Politicasister, ya, he read that 'Thank you' for the Jackie Robinson medal this year and the Rosa Parks statue work. (You're welcome!) Yeah, he read all those comments and all those good wishes and I think that's really why we got that return visit later that night. (It wasn't just us, in the 'Boston crowd,' it was that wonderful card and all those precious signatures. I think that really, really meant a lot.)

So, before I go off talking about the 'thiser and that thater' of what went on in Boston, may I please say Thank You to all of you and to your creativity and caring. A lot of us are very tired (wicked, wicked tired even) and don't have two brain cells to rub together at the moment. But I want you guys to know, that you were there with us. We went, I swear, as a group.

With deepest love and affection and gratitude for what you guys did;

TayTay

[rosesaylavee]

1. Thanks for representing us

with the Senator. It means a lot to me to even have a very small part of this.

[TayTay]

2. Again, this is a group effort.

Hey, by myself, not much. With you guys, now there's a mighty force.

Again, thank you for being 'with me' this weekend. There were more than a few times when I had tears in my eyes and a little fear that I might not be able to convey to Mrs. Heinz & Sen. Kerry how many of us there were out there in 'the blogs' and that we were but a small sample. (Albeit the happiest small sample you've ever seen!)

BTW, 'the blogs' is just shorthand for the whole of the internet engagement. It means the forum here and it means the independent blogs and it means all the groups and so forth. Just thought I would do my wonky duty and explain why we will be calling some of this activity from 'the blogs.' Not everybody 'speaks' internet particulars, and the shorthand reference mean us.

[beachmom]

3. Thank you so much for telling him about "us"!!

I said in another post how "tickled pink" I was that he read the cards that we signed. It makes the distance between him and us lessen when we can hear that he knows how much we care. And I'll just add that it was a lot of fun doing the b-day card passing it all around the country. I'm just thrilled that he enjoyed it (sometimes I think of famous people having their "people" read what you wrote, so to know he actually read it himself just means the world to me).

I think I'll cut y'all some slack, and encourage you to get some sleep, as long as in return, you keep posting things like "oh, yeah, and I forgot about the part when he . . . " all week long. Thanks Boston Kerrycrats for being our representatives! You've done us all proud.

[karynnj]

9. Like you, I am so happy that I was able to sign it and to know

that he saw it. Your comments probably express how a lot of us felt who signed it but couldn't go to Boston. That he was touched by it is sweet.

Tay Tay thsnks for your comments on the card and his reaction. I am so glad that I chose to participate. Thank you to those who thought it up and organized it and to Babylonsister who made the lovely cards.

[whometense]

10. The most touching part

for me was the way the cards touched him. I agree with Tay - he loved that people came all that way for his birthday, but the cards blew him away. It makes me well up to think about how much it meant to him that all of us (and I mean ALL OF US) believe in him. That's why we do this, but I never, ever expected to find out how important it is, directly from him.

It was inspiring.

[blm]

29. And now he knows (at least a bit) how much HE inspires US to be citizens

working to stay informed and informing others.

May sound corny, but I think it matters.

[wisteria]

4. The cards were wonderful, I am honored I got an opportunity to

sign the one- now I'm going to continue to kick myself for not saying to hell with holiday traditions and preparations and trekking up to Boston. A once in a life time opportunity and I missed it. Oh well, I will still Kerryon!

[TayTay]

12. Not so, Wisteria, not so.

There were a lot of lessons learned from the last elections, as you would expect. This was not a 'once in a lifetime opportunity,' not by a longshot. What we did this weekend in Boston was 'step out of the shadows' of the internet a little bit. And we got noticed. And the thought went round and round that this was an awesome thing to do! We need to do more of this. (Perhaps in Boston, but certainly not just in Boston. Again, not by a longshot.) So, permit us to get our humble acts together, get our little organized selves together (get some sleep) and figure out a way to bring some of what we had in Boston, to, perhaps, other places.

I think this was an incredibly positive event for everyone, including THK & JK. Let us make a good presentation of ourselves and account for ourselves in Boston as we have some housekeeping to do. If we get to do it, and follow up on some stuff, then the end result is to bring you closer to people and events in different parts of the country. (Perhaps someday you go to an event and say, Hi! We're from 'the bloggers.' And you don't need 20 minutes to explain what you mean, who you are and what the heck 'the bloggers' are. You are a known quantity and welcomed, warmly. And not just in Boston. That is the goal. We will do anything to get what amounts to 'the paperwork' done to get that to happen.) We need some time to pinch ourselves and make sure we really heard what we heard and aren't making things up in our exhaustion and that we have a focus and that everyone here know that we are hell-bent for leather on sharing. (That is an ironclad promise. We have always been an inclusive and broad forum that exist to spread information in as wide a circle as possible. You would have to break all my typing fingers to change that.)

Gawd, I'm tired. I hope this is making sense.

[wisteria]

20. Yeah, your doing fine on little sleep. Get some rest and clear your

head, I'll wait for the important details.

[kerrygoddess]

21. It's wonderful things worked out the way they did

JK and THK have always been very responsive to their bloggers all around the country and a special effort is often made to make sure that the bloggers get a chance to connect with JK and THK. That was why I offered to contact Marvin. I did not know that KarenDC also contacted someone for you.

There were many people through out the entire campaign that traveled to various places as "bloggers" and participated on the ground and the Kerry blog and forum. JK and THK always knew that and still do.

Needless to say it's great that they were able to meet the DU crowd. One of the original Kerry bloggers was also there last night and unfortunately she was left out of the loop. I've also been working on something to help make sure that bloggers are recognized and more in the loop. I can't discuss it here, so again, I'll extend the invitation to discuss everything on the private forum I set up.

[jillan]

27. No - don't feel that way.

I stayed back because of family traditions as well.
I'm not kicking myself at all. Family sometimes has to come first. And I had a great weekend, even tho I had moments of remorse. Especially last nite when I knew they were at the party. I was looking at my girls decorating cookies, thinking about what I could be doing at that moment. And I knew I made the right choice.
But then again, we are dems and have no family values - lol

Next time!!! And there will be a next time.

[ProSense]

5. That was a beautiful gesture.

I guess if I had joined the group a little bit before I did, my signature would have been on the card. Sigh!

[StoryTeller]

14. I understand!

I was thinking the same thing, ProSense. Actually, since we've had several conversations with my oldest daughter about * and Kerry since the elections (she's pretty precocious and noticed that we weren't supporting the same candidate as most of our friends), she probably would have insisted on drawing a picture and writing a note for the card as well. Oh well... I'm assuming he's planning on having more birthdays in the future, so all is not lost. :)

[ProSense]

18. You're right.

This forum is a pretty happening place, so I expect a lot more between now and JK's next birthday.

[fedupinBushcountry]

6. Thanks, TayTay

The birthday card(s) was such a great idea, and to pull it off and have them handed to JK personally is just totally awesome. I feel as if I was there and I know that our message to JK got to him and that we were well represented. :grouphug:

[rosesaylavee]

7. After the election (fraud) of 2004,

I wrote John and Theresa a letter - along with every other prominent dem I could think of and asked that they keep fighting the fight for us here in the trenches. I felt so left behind when Al Gore lost to the Appointed One in 2000. I knew I just couldn't take another abandonment by a leader. I know that Al Gore was probably doing what he thought noble and actually, he didn't have an official political role to play at that point so maybe it was appropriate for him to disappear from the landscape... but what I asked John Kerry et al is that they not leave us alone with this maniac... not like last time.

Well, anyway, the letter writing kept me busy and sane for the weeks following the last appointment... and what I am most grateful for is that the Senator has been consistently pursuing the agenda he put forth as a presidential candidate. He doesn't have the same clout as last year - or the platform to speak from - but he has been consistent and present nationwide even tho he technically represents MA only.

My gut tells me this is our leader, our president and I am so pleased that he was not so full of himself that he wouldn't sit and talk with you all about what you thought.

[babylonsister]

8. Tearing up in TX! Thanks, TayTay and everyone! nt

[jillan]

11. Thank YOU Tay Tay for delivering the cards to him.

That was such a great idear!

You rock lady!:hug:

I just wish I would have gone with my gut feeling and wrote a little note on there besides just my name. Oh well - next year!lol

[TayTay]

13. Thank you! You rock too!

It was an honor and a privilege to do so. It was doubly an honor and privilege to do so on behalf of all these crazy people here whom I have grown to care for so deeply over the last year.

It was, truly, my pleasure!

[jillan]

15. I cannot wait until you are ready to let it all out

Anxiously waiting to hear your stories.

[seito]

16. Wow

To everyone that planned and participated in the card and travels to Boston :yourock: Those of us that were not able to go may bask in the amazing experience vicariously. I can't wait to see the pictures and read more about your wonderful experience.

Thank you so much.

[LittleClarkie]

17. Aww!

It's almost surreal to me to think that we have connected with him. Thanks for telling him about me and my little prayer circle, even though it got booted to the faith forum pretty quickly.

I'm not even sure if I was posting in here yet. Were we even a group yet?

I'm also very glad to see the new folks. Welcome!

Thanks TayTay for doing this for us. I wish I could have been there, but I would have probably burst into tears on the guy, and who wants a hysterical chick at a party.

[TayTay]

19. Hey LC, you know, somethings you just don't forget

You did that prayer circle in January, remember. I never forgot it. (Hmmmm, guess you should be careful what you write here. I sem to remember these things. Hmmm.)

I meant this. I but conveyed what you DID. And Sen. Kerry looked up at me directly and really reacted to that. So see, you just being wonderful LittleClarkie, are a damned impressive and wonderful person. It was a deep pleasure to tell that little story, even though I didn't get permission first (oh dear, forgive me.) These are the types of things that make us a wonderful forum, these incredible acts of people just being themselves.

Thank you my dear. It was a pleasure. (And you, hysterical or not, are welcome at my parties anytime.)

[DoBotherMe]

31. I know that look...

when he was in Iowa and I had my up close and personal with him (including brushing his cheek w/mine and intoxicated by his smell), I said to him "God bless you Senator Kerry," and he looked directly into my eyes with a quizzical yet naive surpise and said to me heartfelt, "Thank you." I thought he was going to cry. It was during the worst of the Swift Boat Liars. My heart just broke for him. D ; )

[europegirl4jfk]

22. Glad you are back!

Do you believe me when I say I missed you, TayTay? You are the mom of the Kerry group after all. (At least for me. :loveya:) Well, I have to go to bed because it's early in the morning here but we are looking forward to all of you stories and pictures to come. That was an amazing experience for you guys and I'm very happy that it was so positive.

[politicasista]

23. Thanks TayTay!

Just smiling right now. I am glad he liked the cards. Thanks again for delivering the messages. :toast: :loveya: :yourock: :hi:

[YvonneCa]

24. Your words mean a lot, Tay Tay...

..."I think and hope that we were also able to convey to JK that the ones who were in Boston were certainly not the whole of this forum and that we brought the goodwill, hope, love and concern of many, many other people with us."

Thank you for saying what you did about the goodwill, hope, love and concern we all share.:patriot:

[JanusAscending]

25. Bless your heart Tay Tay!!

And if you EVER PLAN A TRIP like that again that I don't know about, I'll hate you forever! I would have LOVED to have been there with you. The only constraint I had on me was MONEY!!! But if I had time to plan and save, I would have driven there from Ct. for such as this!! Oh I'm so envious, but am thrilled that you got up close and personal! Looking forward to reading the rest now, and "soaking in" all the pictures and details to come.:bounce: :9 :grouphug: Love DC

[saracat]

26. Whoa Tay ! Tay! You rock!

as does JK . Thank you for all your efforts! Where are those pix? And where can we get the "whole story" as per Whom tyense concerns of privacy?

[emulatorloo]

28. hey tay tay, thanks for writing about this - I'm really moved by yr words

n/t

[babylonsister]

30. Did anyone get any pix of the b'day cards before they were

delivered? I only saw them when the innards were lily-white, so would love to see what the final outcome looked like. Thanks!

[jillan]

32. You were the one that made the cards, right???

In case I forgot to tell you- the one I signed was beautiful, perfect.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you
:yourock:

[babylonsister]

34. Yes, I did and you are very welcome-it was a privilege!

I make all my own; got tired of paying such outrageous prices for cards plus it's fun to be able to personalize them. :) If there are any other special occasions in the near future, I'd be happy to volunteer.
Can someone explain about the postmarks that Sen. Kerry was admiring? I honestly don't know what the final product looked like.
And thanks to all of you for being such good reporters and patriots! :patriot: :grouphug:

[jillan]

35. Everyone cut out the postage from the envelope it arrived on.

And then it was taped to a piece of paper.
So Senator Kerry could see where it had been.
I was kinda in the middle of the west coast card, and it was pretty
impressive even at that point.

I too would have loved to seen the completed cards.

[politicasista]

33. Thanks babylonsister!

:yourock: :hi: :grouphug:

[babylonsister]

36. The pleasure was mine!

:hi: