My heart just skipped a beat

[question everything]

We moved to MN three years ago and for the first year I was still interested in the politics of CA (the Internet helped).

I was going over older folders in my email, looked at the one labeled "politics" which contains exchanges with other activists, a few with elected officials and some reporters. All of a sudden, an email from Senator Paul Wellstone and my heart skipped a beat. I did not even remember writing to him about it, did not remember getting such a long and considerate reply from him.

And I took my time to read the letter at length - he apologized, twice, for taking a long time to respond - and to mourn, again, the loss, especially during these times, of such a wonderful, principled individual.

[madison2000]

1. I wrote to the whole senate about extending unemployment

compensation benefits 3 yrs ago and he was one of the 5 senators (all dems) who wrote back to me. He was a dear man. Lots of people around here have been to a Camp Wellstone and I'm planning to go myself.

[no name no slogan]

2. Funny thing is, "success" didn't change him, either

He was exactly like that back in 1988, when I first met/worked with him. He always had a good word for everyone, even his opponents. He was a kind person, but didn't let anybody roll over him. He had a unique way of motivating others and was very considerate of those he worked with.

I still wish he would have ran for president in 2000. He would have been a GREAT candidate: principled, inspiring, visionary, and DEFINATELY not "Republican-Lite".

[wellstone dem]

3. I miss Paul.

I miss him so much.

[Demrock6]

4. Did anybody see the Wellstone movie?

I saw previews at Michael Moore and heard about it from friends. I couldn't find anything on http://www.wellstone.org Any help here?

[question everything]

6. It played at the U for a few weeks in October. Wanted to see it

but never got to it. Hopefully it will be available on tape, or DVD.

[Krupskaya]

5. Me too.

I miss him every day. Still cry sometimes, too. I look at my daughter and hope, though -- we gave her Paul as a middle name. She was born five days after the plane crash.

[hermetic]

7. This always makes me cry

I had written to Paul protesting the war and on December 30, 2002, I received a reply from him, written Dec. 27. I have it very carefully preserved.