Ode To Diane

I never met but always appreciated Diane. Through the media, I knew her first as a politician. From my perspective, I knew her later as a good lady. I observed the manner of her poise and her calmness. It wasn't her politics that I admired, but her person that I came to respect. I was a new resident in her beautiful city, not there long enough to know of their problems. But it was soon clear to me that Diane was in tune with both the politics and the people of her city. Mayor, supervisor, policeman, People's Temple, and Jim Jones; Enough headline news to cause anyone's head to both ache and spin. How would one navigate all this in a season of festivity and Thanksgiving? I was soon to learn that Diane was well equipped for the task of calming the storm of tragedy wreaking havoc on the people of her city by the bay. Red state, blue state, or sanctuary city had absolutely no relevancy. She became the first female supervisor in SF in 1969 and later its first female mayor in 1978. She would later fail in her attempt at becoming governor of California but succeed in becoming its first female Senator. I am aware of her 'many firsts, her many years of service as a Senator, and the many committees she chaired. One of the greatest lessons in life is learning how to separate people from their politics. At a distance, I think that I learned it best from Diane. What I remember most about Diane Feinstein and have long treasured in my heart is the way she controlled and mastered her emotions, and how she served as a conduit to release the tranquility I felt in a time of confusion as a newcomer to the city of San Francisco. I believe that this was a 'God send'.