Book B

( place on page 225 at the very end)

Around the same time the Phils won the World Series in 2008, I met a future President of the United States. One of my brothers and his wife were volunteering for then Senator Barack Obama. I liked Obama too, so when they asked me to go with them to a local rally I immediately said "Yes." I had never been to a political rally in my life, so this would be another new experience

Not knowing what to expect, we arrived at  the local high school and went through a detailed search by the Secret Service agents. Much to my surprise when we entered the gym they escorted us right near the stage. We would have a great view of the speech and the rally. The gym looked really good with red, white and blue bunting hung everywhere. The crowd starting packing the venue as patriotic music played and the crowds began to swell.

Shaking hands with Senator Obama would've been  memorable enough. But what happened before that handshake would last with me forever.

The tiny, jam-packed gym was bursting with loud music and energy as Obama arrived to cheers. He spoke for about 20 minutes and seemed ready to exit for his next stop, as his advanced staff announced they were on a tight schedule and were already late. There was no time to waste with the election only two weeks away But that didn't stop the Senator from shaking a few hands, and he started to the right of me, working the semi-circle stage, briskly shaking  the hands of people were cheering below next to the stage. Within seconds he would be coming my way.

There was this young guy to my right, also in a wheelchair. He was decked out in "Obama for President" buttons. I noticed that he was pretty well debilitated, his hands clenched tightly into a fist, his legs crossed, his body thin, the clothes hanging  on him.

Secret Service kept Obama moving, hustling him forward. If you had his attention for three seconds you were lucky. I noticed his bodyguards looking down at hands, making sure nothing inappropriate was happening. Everything was going at lightning speed.

Then it happened.

When Barack Obama was face-to-face with my friend on my right, Obama instantly recognized the situation. My neighbor wasn't physically able to shake his hand. Back then the fist-pump greeting wasn't known.

Just that quick, without missing a beat, Obama reached over and touched this young man on his right shoulder.  I was so impressed with this sweet gesture I almost forgot to extend my hand to the future President when he next came to me.

"Thanks for your support!" he said, smiling and looking me directly in the eye. Just like that he was on to the next person, and on and on,repeating 'Thanks for your support!" all the way around the semi-circle stage.

With a final wave, Obama was gone, as his appointment with destiny awaited.

My friend to my right was all smiles when we left the quickly  dispersing gymnasium . I learned a lesson that October  afternoon. They say Princess Diana had it. So did Mother Teresa. Never underestimate the power of the human touch.