Welcome to Decoding the Vibe where I tell it like it really is as the first-in-the-nation primary parade of candidates comes to New Hampshire. Join me behind the scenes where you might just find out what the candidate is really like.
By SUSAN DROMEY HEETER, Decoding the Vibe
On Saturday, the sixth of July’s meet and greet with Marianne Williamson in New Castle, New Hampshire, felt gracious, felt kind, felt intelligent, felt kind.
Did I say kind twice? It’s one of those four letter words that ought to be used more often and really was reflected at the house party held at the home on Riverview Road on a beautiful summer afternoon.
Williamson wore killer heels and spoke on the porch of a home so lovely I gasped while walking up the driveway. Sitting on the banks of the Piscataqua River, a breeze blew and the crowd listening to Williamson looked like models from a J Crew catalog; I felt like I was at a really great wedding – made even better with no gifts or bride.
The words from both Williamson and those in attendance included: corrupt, honest conversation, mercy, compassion, love, children.
Sandra Richardson said: “(Williamson) simply wanted to listen, was there to observe faith and spirituality.”
Melissa Rgazio and Michelle Fiorentini both wanted to “stay in the conversation” and were eager to hear more about “Peace and love and less ‘bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iraq.’”
Burt Cohen, a self-admitted activist, believes Williamson will “restore our battered souls.”
Speaking about children was a big part of Williamson’s vibe, a conversation that I’ve not heard put from others in the ring. She repeatedly mentioned those innocents caught in the crossfire of government regulations or lack thereof; citing that both the old and young are increasingly invisible.
There were, in fact, several children around, listening, yawning, petting the dog that wandered about. Ten-year old Bruno Pinciaro sat in the massive old English Beech tree; he had the best seat in the house and the vibe of Williamson as well as the solid branches felt safe, felt cultivated, felt seasoned.
Williamson exudes that same vibe of safe, cultivated, seasoned. She knows her stuff, knows her history and knows the intricacies of a government system that could use some improvement.
According to Williamson, she is not “running against anyone but running for something and believes that “personal anger depletes you.”
She supports the creation of a U.S. Department of Children and Youth, something I’ve not heard suggested before. She spoke of the history of the government corruption – with factual information but with a message of hope.
Attorney, musician and former U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes is Williamson’s Senior Campaign Advisor and NH State Director. He, too, is cultivated and seasoned. He brought a vibe of experience to the event, a background filled with theatre, music, politics and law.
And that vibe captured the event: eclectic, kind and hopeful. And there was that of hope and the suggestion that while “personal anger depletes you” there are far more people who love in this country than hate.
Thanks for Decoding the Vibe with me, with Marianne Williamson. And if you can get a perch upon an old English Beech tree to listen to a stump speech, do climb; it’s the best seat in the house.
Marianne Williamson’s bio from her website:
Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed lecturer, activist and author of four #1 New York times bestselling books. She has been one of America’s most well known public voices for more than three decades. Seven of her twelve published books have been New York Times best sellers and Marianne has been a popular guest on television programs such as Oprah, Good Morning America, and Bill Maher. A quote from the mega best seller A Return to Love, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…” is considered an anthem for a contemporary generation of seekers.
Marianne’s other books include The Law of Divine Compensation, The Age of Miracles, Everyday Grace, A Woman’s Worth, Illuminata, Healing the Soul of America, A Course in Weight Loss, The Gift of Change, Enchanted Love, A Year of Miracles, and Tears to Triumph: The Spiritual Journey from Suffering to Enlightenment. Her newest book, A Politics of Love: Handbook for a New American Revolution, will be published in 2019.
Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Dover who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer. InDepthNH.org takes no position on politics, but welcomes diverse opinions. email nancywestnews@gmail.com