Shaking Hands With Greatness
Ranked #9,960 in Culture & Society, #201,357 overall
Bill Clinton Touched Me
On May 5th 2008 at approximately 11:40pm Former President William Jefferson Clinton touched me. He reached right out and shook my hand. Can you imagine that? Little old nobody me actually shook hands with greatness.
Initially, I wasn't even tempted to fight my way into the swarming crowd of people attending the Hillary Rodham Clinton for President campaign rally.
Being a mild-mannered personality, I was completely satisfied just to be able to see the man in person, to stand within 20 yards of him, to hear him speak - but something my eighteen-year-old son said to me prompted my action, forced my will, enabled me to tempt fate and jump into the masses to grab my chance.
Initially, I wasn't even tempted to fight my way into the swarming crowd of people attending the Hillary Rodham Clinton for President campaign rally.
Being a mild-mannered personality, I was completely satisfied just to be able to see the man in person, to stand within 20 yards of him, to hear him speak - but something my eighteen-year-old son said to me prompted my action, forced my will, enabled me to tempt fate and jump into the masses to grab my chance.
What are the Chances?
Politics Aside
Whatever your political party affiliation might be, you have to grant the man his due. Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States, a great leader, and a huge part of American history.
Bill Clinton was appearing at the Raleigh, North Carolina - Hillary for President Headquarters to thank the volunteers and to encourage everyone to vote in the May 6 primary.
We waited for his arrival for hours listening to various speakers including a man who had been trapped beneath the World Trade Center on 9/11 and a campaign spokesperson who joked about the fact that Bill was probably late because he was shaking hands with people at his previous engagement.
Ours was his 9th stop of the day.
Campaign headquarters were being held in what used to be a warehouse. Bill's "stage" was set up in the loading dock area behind the building and was fashioned in the bed of an old pick up truck parked at the end of a ramp. We in the audience stood behind three foot metal fencing.
Clinton by AmericanHeros
t-shirts made by zazzle
Bill Clinton was appearing at the Raleigh, North Carolina - Hillary for President Headquarters to thank the volunteers and to encourage everyone to vote in the May 6 primary.
We waited for his arrival for hours listening to various speakers including a man who had been trapped beneath the World Trade Center on 9/11 and a campaign spokesperson who joked about the fact that Bill was probably late because he was shaking hands with people at his previous engagement.
Ours was his 9th stop of the day.
Campaign headquarters were being held in what used to be a warehouse. Bill's "stage" was set up in the loading dock area behind the building and was fashioned in the bed of an old pick up truck parked at the end of a ramp. We in the audience stood behind three foot metal fencing.
Clinton by AmericanHeros
t-shirts made by zazzle
Have You Ever . . .
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Reach Out and Touch Me
Out of the Mouths of Babes
At the end of his speech Bill began shaking hands with those who were lucky enough to be in the front row. We were several rows back but my son decided that he was going to get in there. I handed my son a booklet asking him to get Bill's autograph if he could. My son did get close enough to barely brush Bill's hand but because he was holding the booklet, wasn't able to grab a handshake. He came back with a frown, angry that he'd missed his chance.
You see, I thought an autograph would be a super memento of the occasion but that wasn't what my son was after.
At this point, Bill looked like he was preparing to leave. He walked back across the make-shift podium, back up the ramp, started waving goodbye and then the next thing we knew, he climbed over the railing and jumped down off the side of the walkway, chancing an almost 3 foot drop, just to have another go around with the crowd. Amazing!
My son leapt at this new opportunity and raced back to the front. This time he was successful. He returned in triumph and said:
You see, I thought an autograph would be a super memento of the occasion but that wasn't what my son was after.
At this point, Bill looked like he was preparing to leave. He walked back across the make-shift podium, back up the ramp, started waving goodbye and then the next thing we knew, he climbed over the railing and jumped down off the side of the walkway, chancing an almost 3 foot drop, just to have another go around with the crowd. Amazing!
My son leapt at this new opportunity and raced back to the front. This time he was successful. He returned in triumph and said:
"That man shook the hand of all of the most powerful people of our time and now he's shaken my hand too!"
Smart Boy
My son realized the magnitude of the connection to history that one handshake could hold.
Bill Clinton had indeed shaken the hands of the most powerful people, the most famous leaders, the most important VIP's, and the most popular celebrities of our time.
What superior value could a slip of paper with a signature on it hold over such a strong connection to the world as we know it.
Before my mind could finish visualizing this concept I threw caution to the wind and dashed into the crowd myself. If you knew me for even a short time, you'd know that this is completely out of my usual meek character.
Suddenly I was being crushed. He was nearby. I felt like I couldn't breath. He was moving closer. I reached out my hand. He was right there. It was now or never. He was right in front of me. I threw myself into it. (Richard Reed of the Fabulous Four couldn't have been more flexible.)
And then - I felt it. He grasped my hand. I closed my fingers around his, looked into his eyes and in that instant, just like my son, I was connecting with world history and all of the people Bill Clinton had ever met.
In that instant, I had moved my 6 Degrees closer to more people and more history than I could ever imagine.
Pretty impressive, huh?
Bill Clinton had indeed shaken the hands of the most powerful people, the most famous leaders, the most important VIP's, and the most popular celebrities of our time.
What superior value could a slip of paper with a signature on it hold over such a strong connection to the world as we know it.
Before my mind could finish visualizing this concept I threw caution to the wind and dashed into the crowd myself. If you knew me for even a short time, you'd know that this is completely out of my usual meek character.
Suddenly I was being crushed. He was nearby. I felt like I couldn't breath. He was moving closer. I reached out my hand. He was right there. It was now or never. He was right in front of me. I threw myself into it. (Richard Reed of the Fabulous Four couldn't have been more flexible.)
And then - I felt it. He grasped my hand. I closed my fingers around his, looked into his eyes and in that instant, just like my son, I was connecting with world history and all of the people Bill Clinton had ever met.
In that instant, I had moved my 6 Degrees closer to more people and more history than I could ever imagine.
Pretty impressive, huh?
Shaking Hands with Greatness
Have You Ever . . .
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The Hand That Touched The Hand . . .
Unforgetable
I know I'll never forget that handshake. Tell me about the most important handshake you've ever received. From who did you receive it and how did it make you feel?
7
Bob Kerrey - D Nebraska
Sen. Kerrey has served a number of roles for the S more...0 points
10
http://speakersstereowireless.com/
http://speakersstereowireless.com/0 points
I Want to Hold Your Hand
What Does Your Handshake Say About you?
- Hand Shake, How To and Meanings of Different Types of Handshake
- A hand shake can have an implied psychological meanings. Learn the meanings, how to, how long and when to shake hands.
- Handshaking: Do you know what your handshake says about you?
- In social and work settings, touching plays a very important role. One of forms of touching in North American and European countries is handshake. Do you know what your handshake says about you? Handshaking: Do you know what your handshake says about you?.
- What Your Handshake Says About You - BusinessWeek
- Rules for meeting and greeting
Guestbook
Thank you for visiting, letting me share my story, and for participating in the polls. Feel free to leave any and all comments here.
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drbilltellsexcitingstories
Apr 15, 2012 @ 5:01 pm | delete
- I am a big fan of Bill Clinton, as President, but moreso for what he has done since. Great lens! Thanks for sharing... ;-)
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Tipi
Jan 21, 2012 @ 10:59 pm | delete
- An interesting story, Robin. It should be an honor to shake hands with greatness. :)
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wheresthekarma
Oct 13, 2011 @ 10:25 pm | delete
- Cool lens, and cool experience!!! I love Bill too.
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bhthanks
Sep 25, 2011 @ 7:00 pm | delete
- wow.
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Farkhof
Aug 30, 2011 @ 6:55 am | delete
- what a memorable moment...
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Spook
Mar 1, 2011 @ 1:17 pm | delete
- I guess nearly everybody would enjoy this. You are not so timid after all and well done. Blessed by an Angel.
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JeremiahStanghini Feb 19, 2011 @ 4:38 pm | delete
- This is pre-supposing that YOU are not greatness... ;-)
With Love and Gratitude,
Jeremiah
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NHgal
Feb 9, 2011 @ 6:42 pm | delete
- I shook Pres. Clinton's hand. He was at my graduation at NH's Stratham Technical College. There were TV cameras lined up at the back of the tent, and the Secret Service checked each person as they came in. It was only a few months after he was inaugurated. Officially he was there to promote a new program supporting community colleges. Unofficially, he was there to fulfill a campaign promise. A year earlier, during his campaign, the student body president asked if he would come back to his graduation the next year. At the time, Clinton said "Yes". Then, after Clinton was elected President, the student body president contacted him to remind him of his campaign promise. As it was his first time as President at a college graduation, he was nervous, and kept looking at the college president to ask "What do I do now/next"? Eventually, after a speech, he handed out our diplomas to each of us individually, and shook our hands. We each got a picture of him shaking our hand. It was a very memorable day.
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Daryl
Jun 25, 2010 @ 3:32 pm | delete
- I am a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer with my own practice and I can say that the handshake is absolutely everything. We get countless 'potential' clients, in which we must decide whether or not their claim is legitimate and sizing one up in a moment is tough but the handshake goes a long way towards building trust.
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Heather426
Oct 9, 2009 @ 9:46 pm | delete
- What a great idea for a lens and a lovely way of telling it!
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Sojourn
Jun 10, 2009 @ 10:17 pm | delete
- Robin, I love your style. Witty, smart, and open. I would have felt the same way. I'm a bit timid in a crowd anyway, but a President? There is something awe-inspiring about the whole historical connection. I enjoyed every word! :)
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GlenK
Dec 10, 2008 @ 2:16 pm | delete
- Wow,
Lucky you, do you know where those hands have BEEN?
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chefkeem
Nov 24, 2008 @ 10:04 pm | delete
- This lens entertained me. I like your candid story-telling, Robin. Blessed. :)
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Jewelsofawe Nov 24, 2008 @ 2:47 pm | delete
- How cool! Sounds like an awesome experience. I have always liked the Clintons and voted for him in the presidential elections....
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Margo_Arrowsmith
Nov 22, 2008 @ 7:37 am | delete
- Well, I must say that this lens is getting me thinking. I don't think I have shaken hands with greatness, but you put it in a different light!
*****
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Hassen
Sep 21, 2008 @ 7:26 pm | delete
- I love Clinton, he has certainly been thru hell and won.. his wife Hillary She reallll impress' me.have you seen the tee, that says "i am a democrat, as who wants a piece of elephant, lol.All in all Jimmy Carter was the "BEST" of all and still is....did you know he (sadly) admits to bringing,making life out of the nuclear sub??? awesome, and his sadness over this is so sad.
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Marelisa May 8, 2008 @ 9:26 pm | delete
- I'm lensrolling you to my "100 things to do before you die lens". Life is about taking chances!
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beeobrien
May 7, 2008 @ 9:59 am | delete
- That's terrific!
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Susan52
May 7, 2008 @ 8:38 am | delete
- That is a great story, Robin, and a great lesson. I saw Air Force One up close once and that was a very inspiring brush with history, but certainly this far surpasses that. Congratulations!
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CrypticFragments
May 7, 2008 @ 7:11 am | delete
- great story rms!!! great lens for these times...
our politics may not be the same, but I sure "feel ya" on the greatness of the moment!
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GypsyPirate
May 7, 2008 @ 6:57 am | delete
- This is a great story. I am so proud of you for acting outside your "norm", and equally proud of your son for being the catalyst to help you do it. Thanks for sharing this.
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blondeheroine
May 7, 2008 @ 3:15 am | delete
- Congratualations! Love Bill. :)
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gurneywagon
May 7, 2008 @ 12:23 am | delete
- Kudos to you for spreading your wings! Aren't kids a marvelous inspiration? Thanks for sharing!
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katiyanascollectibles May 6, 2008 @ 9:05 pm | delete
- Awesome story! And a memory your son will have for the rest of his life!
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Gordon_Hamilton May 6, 2008 @ 2:43 pm | delete
- I'm glad you managed to have such an experience. I can relate to it from when I met Margaret Thatcher.
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bdkz
May 6, 2008 @ 2:32 pm | delete
- That is too cool!
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JohannTheDog May 6, 2008 @ 2:23 pm | delete
- What a great story! My Mum shook Henry Kissinger's hand once. She was only 23 years old at the time, a low level secretary at a convention center. He had just gotten out of a meeting room at the center with Gerald Ford. Mum turned the corner walking down the hall and there they both were!
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giltotherescue May 6, 2008 @ 2:08 pm | delete
- Great story! I'd love to meet Bill someday.
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WhippetTalk
May 6, 2008 @ 1:26 pm | delete
- That's so awesome! I'm excited for you. I have only eaten at a restaurant where he ate once. They have a wall painted with his image and two secret service agents in the background. LOL Congraulations with your brush with greatness.
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carrieokier May 6, 2008 @ 1:08 pm | delete
- Awesome! I'm so happy that you "went for it".
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KimGiancaterino May 6, 2008 @ 12:51 pm | delete
- I once shook Jimmy Carter's hand. It was during a flight to Georgia, and he came around to personally shake each passenger's hand. It was pretty neat!
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ThomasC
May 6, 2008 @ 12:49 pm | delete
- You never know where someones hand has been! Great job on this page!
ThomasC
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Photography Credits
None of the photos on this page were taken by me. All photos on this page were found through a creative commons search for commercial usage. You can see the originals at the following links.
- Hot Springs - President Bill Clinton's home town
- Shaking Hands with Greatness - Reach Out and Touch Me were found here:
Family attractions in Hot Springs - baths and spas, tours of the city and area lakes, golf, shopping, art galleries, magic shows, animal shows, parks and rides, riverboat rides, horse back riding, horse racing, hiking, alligator farm, wax museum, boating - Public Domain: Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton by White House Photographer, 1978 (NARA) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- This image is believed to be in the public domain and is from the National Archives. More information may be found below. Search or Contact the National Archives. _______________________ All images from the National Archives posted on this site should be "unrestricted", according to NAR
- Bill Clinton on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- What are the Chances? Bill Clinton came to Corpus for a Vote Early rally for Hillary. Here are loads of shots from the rally. Straight from the camera and totally unsorted, these are being uploaded fast to allow people to see themselves and thier friends. As always, these photos are under a Creative Commons Attribution S
- Former President Bill Clinton on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- I Want to Hold Your Hand Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone.
by rms
Robin Svedi is a Community Organizer and the QuestMaster for Squidoo. You can keep up with her at rms on Squidoo. She's also the author of Eye Popping... more »
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