We went to Madison this weekend for my
Stewart family reunion. The idea to begin having an annual reunion happened the day after Jim and I were married. The Stewart clan had brunch at the hotel and then we gathered outside for the first of many family photos. Somebody said, "We need to do this more often," and thus began a tradition. Each year a different segment of the family hosts, so the cities rotate. This year the
LeBarron/Vetterkind segment hosted in Madison
The very first thing we did when we got up, was head down to the capitol. The
Farmer's Market and
Maxwell Street Days were teeming with pedestrians, plus the
Paddle and Portage Canoe Race was going on. But we didn't bother with any of that, at least at first. We marched right up those capitol stairs.
For months I have been feeling the pull to join
the protesters in Madison defending the
bargaining rights of unions. Although I am not currently directly involved with a union, I feel deeply that we need to be protect the rights of working class people, especially in the public sector. These employees are not people planning their next corporate takeover. These are people who just want what every person in America should have: good health care, decent wages, and job security. I believe that without the ability to bargain, our government will further take these servicepeople for granted. It is an attempt to mute the working class. Further draining of the middle class, in my opinion, is not the answer to our budget problems. The issue is of such importance to me, that many times this year I considered pulling Owen out of school and taking all three kids to Madison by myself, in the cold, to join in the movement.
As usual with this topic, I've gone off on an emotional tangent. So, back to Capitol Square. We marched up the capitol stairs and looked up at the windows of officials who offer their allegiance to the masses who elected them. I could tell Owen was excited about it all. He naturally shares his parents' passion for politics. I was excited, too.
I remember the first time I looked up at that ceiling. Like the boys, I had seen the outside of the capitol many times. Of course they've been looking at the capitol in St. Paul, but it's the same idea. I had assumed that the inside of the dome was full of floors and rooms. I was surprised when I saw the beautifully decorated hollow of the dome.
We walked around on all of the levels.
When we came back down, an activist began singing, "We Shall Overcome" in the center of the dome. Looking down at my children, I could not hold back the tears. I thought about how many times groups of Americans have had to fight their oppressors. I thought about what might happen to our government services if wages and benefits continue to dwindle. I imagined the gap between the rich and poor continuing to widen from underfunded public education. I envisioned service jobs regressing back to a time where safety and the well-being of employees was second to production. And most of all, I pictured my children living in such a world. The man was not musically gifted, but his voice was definitely making an impact on me. Jim was not making good use of my camera, so I took over and, unfortunately, only caught the last portion.
"Genius of Wisconsin" originally sculpted by Helen Mears in 1893.
And thus began the Stewart Family Reunion 2011.
As we were leaving the capitol, Jim took the stroller down the hillside, while Owen and I took the stairs to investigate a statue and the overall Madison scene. When we looked to the grassy area, we saw that Jim was abandoning the stroller! Owen and I jumped over a rope, ran down the hill and then spotted the reason. Just beyond the abandoned stroller was a Bakery Stand. My mom, who had been walking across the street, noticed the abandoned stroller at the same time and had the same thought as me. Jim collected some donuts and we joined Ya-ya, Bumpa and Great Aunt Sarah on a bunch for a rest and a snack.
The larger Stewart clan gathered at
The Great Dane Pub for lunch. My long lost twin cousin, Elizabeth, pictured here with me and her daughter, Claire, were some of the many family members whom I only get to see once every year or two.
Not only was the company and food good, but The Greater Stewart Family was seated in the nicely shaded and fairly private corner of the outdoor patio! I have visited this establishment many times and never even knew this spot existed. It was a great start to our family reunion weekend.
See? Here we are before the concert, all happy & dry...
And here we are mid-concert, soaking wet, but still happy. Rain was pouring down our faces. Gina pulled a cap out of her pack for me which eased the misery a little.
