MB Meets World

I remember my first trip to DC as a child, maybe in 1972ish, so I was 9ish. The airplanes and Dorothy’s red slippers in the Smithsonian, visiting the White House, hoping we would see President Nixon, and the Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln monuments were my highlights. I recall my brother tripped an alarm at the White House. 🙄 Can’t take Grants anywhere!

Our next visit was in 1978 when I was 15 and I have three vivid memories.

First, adults in my life thought it was SO FUNNY that I bought a tshirt that had Bella Abzug’s saying, “A woman’s place is in the house… and the senate.” “Radical” thinking for a smart, ambitious 15 year old with her sights on law school.

Second, I remember climbing lots of stairs to the Lincoln Memorial and getting a flower from a Moonie. Remember how cult members used to sell flowers in airports? And, apparently, the Lincoln Memorial. I showed my parents and they were horrified and made me give it back. I didn’t have money, but the cult member let me keep the flower. I. Was. Thrilled. I was up and down those stairs a few times negotiating the flower issue!

Third, as we approached the capitol building and saw the statue on top, Dad had a long explanation of who was on top and why. He claimed it was Ben Franklin. Moments later when we toured the capitol, we learned he was wrong. That was the last time Dad ever got to make shit up and have us believe him! Of course, the rest of the Grants continue the tradition of supplementing truth with plausible and, er, creative, explanations.

While I have been to DC many times since then, I haven’t visited the monuments since 2000. It was fun to go to the mall and a few other spots, even as the government was threatening to shut down (the visit was September 30, 2023).

Flags were half-mast, honoring Senator Diane Feinstein, who had died the day before. Bella and I were right about women belonging in the senate, right?!

The steps at the Lincoln Memorial were different from what I remembered, but I don’t trust my memory. I thought all the steps were white marble and steep. But maybe there were always a mixture of steps and plateaus? I just don’t know. The ramp on the left side does seem new, making it more accessible for those using wheelchairs for mobility, but I couldn’t find information about this possible renovation.

And, Freedom still graced the top of the Capitol, not old Ben, although she was getting some TLC.

I had never seen the monument for WWII vets, although it was erected in 2004.

I don’t recall going to the museum of natural history before. Their display on evolution was great, as was their gem collection.

I spread some if Henry’s ashes in a garden between the Capitol, where he worked for Rep. Rodino before law school, and the library of Congress. It felt very appropriate for my nerdy politician spouse!