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grantcart

(53,061 posts)
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 01:09 AM Sep 2012

A picture 148 years in the making.

Babyloniansister posted this thread about Janiya Penny's meeting of the President captured in one of the most arresting pictures every taken at the White House.




We don't know what circumstances led to Janiya getting listed on the 'Make-a-Wish' list but we know there is a mountain of heartbreak weighing on the family of every child who is on that list.

In the picture you will see that Janiya is overcome by joy at meeting the President.

You can see the joy of the parents.

The President is completely in the moment and after greeting Janiya has turned to connect with her parents, who undoubtedly have been through their own personal torment in accompanying Janiya through her challenges.

If that was all in the picture it would be a candidate for the shortlist for iconic White House pictures.

But glance up wards and view the picture with the melancholy view of President Lincoln witnessing the event.

That additional framing gives an added almost surrealistic level to the painting. It shows the completed circle that goes from a compassionate leader who pays the greatest sacrifice to illustrating how progressive policies can transform real people's lives.

And the wise compassion of one leader becomes the foundation for the wise compassion of another.

And in her innocence Janiya becomes not only our sister but shows us how politics does in fact impact real people.

And we all share in her joy.

And grateful to those who have sacrificed before us so that we can share the moment with her.

49 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A picture 148 years in the making. (Original Post) grantcart Sep 2012 OP
And the circle will be unbroken... CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2012 #1
What an exceptionally beautiful story. Melinda Sep 2012 #2
thanks grantcart Sep 2012 #16
Makes me sad seeing this former-republican Sep 2012 #3
gives me goosebumps....SO powerful, meaningful...wow BlancheSplanchnik Sep 2012 #4
Yea, me too. Goosebumps. dmr Sep 2012 #11
i agree! BlancheSplanchnik Sep 2012 #28
Wish I could rec this more than once Care Acutely Sep 2012 #5
me too! lol thanks for the one. grantcart Sep 2012 #17
Beautiful moment. defacto7 Sep 2012 #6
Good way to Cha Sep 2012 #7
Awesome pic! Therion418 Sep 2012 #8
Welcome to DU! left on green only Sep 2012 #10
Same here. mimi85 Sep 2012 #13
Looks almost like a Norman Rockwell. Just beautiful! And on that note, Welcome to DU! calimary Sep 2012 #12
exactly what I thought. grantcart Sep 2012 #15
Welcome to DU! kdmorris Sep 2012 #22
Joy and tears for all of us. Thanks for this story and portrait(s). freshwest Sep 2012 #9
I wonder how many Tea Party types would have something to say about this,... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2012 #14
thank you Voice for Peace Sep 2012 #18
thank you VOP grantcart Sep 2012 #20
If that doesn't move you malaise Sep 2012 #19
Very moving, both the photo and your OP about it... Spazito Sep 2012 #21
thank you grantcart Sep 2012 #23
K & R! lonestarnot Sep 2012 #24
Norman Rockwell couldn't have painted it better. proReality Sep 2012 #25
love your sentiment. So true. SleeplessinSoCal Sep 2012 #37
WOAH!!! Odin2005 Sep 2012 #26
It's amazing how clicking that shutter at just the correct moment can create perfection. VPStoltz Sep 2012 #27
Great picture.... brings tears to my eyes skeewee08 Sep 2012 #29
K&R redqueen Sep 2012 #30
I know America is not number one anymore, by so many measures, but..... Th1onein Sep 2012 #31
Amazing... secondvariety Sep 2012 #32
Beautifully put, Grantcart! FailureToCommunicate Sep 2012 #33
I must thank you for sharing that denese Sep 2012 #34
How lovely. Thank you, Grantcart. nt Chorophyll Sep 2012 #35
Wow. WHEN CRABS ROAR Sep 2012 #36
And she is dressed adorably. Michelle would be proud too. SleeplessinSoCal Sep 2012 #38
K&R SunSeeker Sep 2012 #39
Wow ! earthbone Sep 2012 #40
Blessings on them all. All of life reflected in that story. nolabear Sep 2012 #41
k&R n/t ladyslipper Sep 2012 #42
thank you kpete Sep 2012 #43
HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Sep 2012 #44
thanks for the kick grantcart Sep 2012 #47
Love this! nt flamingdem Sep 2012 #45
This picture is a national treasure. n/t Permanut Sep 2012 #46
Worthy of another kick! LongTomH Sep 2012 #48
K & R Quantess Sep 2012 #49

left on green only

(1,484 posts)
10. Welcome to DU!
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 02:33 AM
Sep 2012

I fell right into the whole thing. At first I looked at the picture on the surface only, and then as I read down and read where Babyloniansister/grantcart pointed out the intrinsic implications of the scene, I totally lost it.

mimi85

(1,805 posts)
13. Same here.
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 03:58 AM
Sep 2012

I thought I had a rough day yesterday - this pic totally put my piddly shit in perspective. My wish is for all her wishes to come true. Dammit, gotta get some Kleenex...

calimary

(80,521 posts)
12. Looks almost like a Norman Rockwell. Just beautiful! And on that note, Welcome to DU!
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 03:23 AM
Sep 2012

Glad to have you with us, Therion418! We need you! Let's all make SURE there are four more years!






Now get to work.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
14. I wonder how many Tea Party types would have something to say about this,...
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 04:16 AM
Sep 2012

...and would then get offended and deny it when you told them Lincoln was a Republican.

 

Voice for Peace

(13,141 posts)
18. thank you
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 09:10 AM
Sep 2012
And the wise compassion of one leader becomes the foundation for the wise compassion of another.

malaise

(267,455 posts)
19. If that doesn't move you
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 09:29 AM
Sep 2012

you're cold.

Thanks _ I saw it the first time but you made me share their joy again.

Spazito

(49,523 posts)
21. Very moving, both the photo and your OP about it...
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 11:43 AM
Sep 2012

I hadn't seen the photo until you posted it, thanks for doing that, it is much appreciated.

proReality

(1,628 posts)
25. Norman Rockwell couldn't have painted it better.
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 01:50 PM
Sep 2012

What a beautiful tribute and photographic record! Thank you for posting it.

Th1onein

(8,514 posts)
31. I know America is not number one anymore, by so many measures, but.....
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 04:40 PM
Sep 2012

I really am so proud of her. We CAN do better. Yes, we can!

denese

(271 posts)
34. I must thank you for sharing that
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 06:44 PM
Sep 2012

...thank you for lifting up my spirit with such a beautiful post.
I wish them every blessing

LongTomH

(8,636 posts)
48. Worthy of another kick!
Mon Sep 24, 2012, 01:53 PM
Sep 2012

Last edited Mon Sep 24, 2012, 03:09 PM - Edit history (1)

A beautiful and touching picture!

Edited to add: I just shared this picture to my Facebook page, along with a few lines of your comments.

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