a simple yarn

Perspective, noun…a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; point of view; true understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion.

I don’t know what I would do if I met the President of the United States. I’m sure my knees would knock a bit. I’d probably worry about clammy hands. I might find myself battling to keep the butterflies contained in the general stomach area. I’d also be inclined to bump into or trip over a Secret Service agent.

And today, I found myself in a similar….yet very different….situation. For you see, today I met the Prime Minister of Ireland. Head of state. Leader of Irish government. Big kahuna.

Flutterings? No. Sweaty palms? Huh-uh. Stutterings? Nope.

And with a very casual air, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, visited our humble school Autumn Fair.

Security detail? No. Bodyguard? None to be found. Protection of any kind? Huh-uh. Entourage? Nope. I can’t imagine that happening in the US. It’s a difference in the Irish perspective.

He mingled among the people. Shook hands. Smiled for cameras. Listened to grass roots lobbying. All hoping to change his perspective.

I heard one mother admonishing her young son that whether or not he appreciated the man himself, the child should at least respect the office. Hmmmm….a parent trying to change her offspring’s perspective.

So, I’ve added a second entry to my few-and-far-between-brush-with-fame-sightings. And as I’ve vacillated back and forth because I determined I’d never publish a photo of myself on this blog, I’ve decided to go ahead….needing to change my perspective.