Helen Thomas by LCBGlenn
It must have been two years ago that I had the privilege of
dining with Helen Thomas, courtesy of a mutual friend who came along with us
and talked nonstop the entire time, worried that I might broach the
subject of the Middle
If I had, I would
have let her know that when people ask me which side I favor, I always answer
"peace."
But again, maybe
if I were as close a friend to her as was my friend, I would have spoken nonstop also. There is so much to say. We both
listened, entranced. I might have wanted to hear more from her, but my friend's
conversation was, as always, riveting--what I can relate to, anyway; this friend's knowledge
and insightfulness know no bounds.
We did clear the
air first, after I had found a parking place in the crowded neighborhood of
Adams Morgan on a Friday night--that horrendous senior moment that forced her to
resign from journalism. She claimed her right to free speech. Are journalists
supposed to be objective? Is there such a thing as pure objectivity?
Her apology had
been most eloquent, a wish for peace in the Middle East acceptable to and
accommodating of both sides. I never knew that she had Syrian (Lebanese these
days) roots, until my friend told me. Funny, she didn't look Syrian, I thought,
but when I looked at her closely, I did see Middle Eastern features. Any
relation to the Lebanese Danny Thomas? I didn't ask her.
She had been
attended by a health care professional while we sat and chatted in the lobby of
her building. She seemed relieved when I stood up from my seat that was hidden
from her line of vision and sat down next to my friend. I felt so
insignificant.
But when her
driver took us to her favorite restaurant, the lady with the stethoscope retired
to Helen's condo. The cuisine was Palestinian. Everyone in the restaurant knew
her and exuded esteem and affection. On our brief trip from the condo to her
car, people greeted her with deep respect.
I asked her to
recommend an entrà ©e and she directed me toward the boned chicken. It was
delicious. I did tell her that but I don't remember saying much else.
My friend's
subject matter skirted the Middle East, as I recall. There was such rapport
between them. She listened with such esteem.
I am so grateful
for this encounter. She knew I was a local and had this to say when we parted:
"Let me know if there's any fun around, Marta." I should have asked her what
she meant. She was already so disabled that I couldn't picture her at the
rallies I attended. I considered her before going to them as well as the panel
discussions at the Center for American Progress that I attend from time to
time. She might have transformed such a stimulating event into a
once-in-a-lifetime experience for many.
And so I never
contacted her, beyond emailing her to thank her for such a wonderful encounter
and delicious meal.
I forgot to
remind her, and she wouldn't have remembered anyway, that years ago I had
somehow come upon her email address and contacted her to ask what she thought
would be the outcome of some Rove-related scandal--I forget which one.
She responded!
"Wait and see," was her patient and indulgent message back. I treasured it.
Little did I know that one day I'd be dining with her.
This pioneering,
gutsy, front-role journalist persisted at work into her eighties, with her
incisive questions so cherished and at the same time so dreaded by the
president or his press secretary. She paved so many ways for women journalists
to follow.
I am deeply
grateful for the encounter and mourn her passing, at the same time marveling
that she survived as long as she did, given her tenuous condition that evening
when we met.
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