Pic Today 12/16/12

THE CLOSER YOU GET,

THE MORE YOU CAN FEEL IT

While in Washington, D.C.

I had a taxi drop me off 

at the Lincoln Memorial at night.

This popular national monument

never closes, and is especially uncrowded

on winter weeknights, in the later hours.

Even from the start of my climb

(there are 98 steps to Lincoln's pedestal),

I could feel the grandeur of this imposing 

limestone and marble monument.

With each step, the scale and majesty of

the huge pillars framed our 16th president

as he sat before his visitors.

The statue became bigger and bigger,

while the surroundings grew quieter and quieter.

The closer I got,

the more I could feel the reverence of this special place.

Abraham Lincoln was enormous,

surrounded by the words of his famous 

Gettysburg address.

I was one-on-one, alone face-to-face

with one of our greatest presidents.

It was an emotional experience

which I won't soon forget.