Video from WXYZ in Detroit. Governor Granholm takes a look at the past eight years, some of the difficult issues we have faced and the ways that we have laid a foundation to grow a new economy. There have been a lot of print stories out there from a meeting with the media last week (Kathy Barks Hoffman has a nice one here), but I've been waiting to hear what the G had to say in her own words. Good to see happy, smiley, optimistic governor again.
As you can probably guess, I'm struggling with this right now. The work I have done has meant the world to me, and it's hard to come up with the words to express everything that I want to say. It is a grieving process - happy for her to be getting out, but realizing what we are about to lose - and I vacillate between all the stages that are typical when dealing with loss. I am slowly coming to acceptance though. I can feel it.
And overall, it feels good. I know that she did the best she could do, and she did it very well, and I know that I did the best I could do, and I am proud of the body of work I have done. I'm usually not one to look back, but when I do - damn. There is a lot there. Words, pictures, analysis - the works. I think of the line from "Field of Dreams"...
"Hey rookie! You were good."
... and I smile.
And to know in your heart that you gave it everything you had, and you did the best you could do, well, what else can anyone ask for?
EDITED to ADD: OK, I did look back after I wrote this - and you know what? I mentioned Electrolux before I ever mentioned Granholm. That is just too eerie...
I started this blog on Oct 19, 2003, usually posting online quizzes and baseball and Bush and such. One liners, with links to stories that are now long since dead. From Oct. 22, 2003:
Greenville braces for massive job losses
"Say goodbye to manufacturing in America."
The first time I mentioned Granholm was Oct 26, 2003:
Cuts in Medicaid could reduce care - wzzm13.com
"Anything left to cut is going to have a major impact on poor people," said Sherry Mirasola, spokeswoman of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, an organization of hospitals, health systems and other health care providers. "There are people out there who can't find a doctor now because the state won't pay the doctors to even cover their costs."
"Sad news. I hope that this doesn't hurt Granholm; she's doing the best she can to clean up the mistakes of 12 years of John Engler."
And then this bit of prophecy on Oct 28:
From the "My Governor is So Cool" Department comes this today-
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today unveiled her schedule for
forums to discuss the state's $900 million budget deficit that will
offer Michigan residents in every corner of the state an opportunity to
learn first-hand the depth of the budget crisis and details on the
impact of potential cuts that may be made.
...
"Imagine! Actually asking the people for ideas and input! And trying to be cost effective too! Let's recap: Listens to constituents, tries to spend their money wisely. Sounds almost un-American to me. I'm sure we'll be hearing from Betsy DeVos soon."
And I was on my way...