Thank God for John Lewis

I guess tonight is when we tell our stories about one of America’s heroes, John Lewis.

When I was a congressional aide on Capitol Hill in the early '90s (for Republican Congresswoman Susan Molinari), I was working late one night, walking back to the office through the U.S. Capitol. As I got near the door on the House side, I looked back down that long hallway to the Rotunda, and I saw Congressman John Lewis at the other end.

I immediately began *running* back toward him up the hallway, and when I got close enough, I called out his name, asking him to stop.

To his credit, Rep. Lewis did not seem concerned about some lunatic running at him calling his name.

When I reached him (not as out of breath as I would be today), I said something along the lines of "Congressman Lewis, I want to thank you for everything you did during the civil rights protests. You made this a better country and I appreciate it."

He said, "Thank you," and we shook hands.

Of course I didn’t agree with Rep. Lewis on a lot of things. But I know his goal was always to help us create a more perfect union.

I realize this story is more about me than John Lewis. For what it’s worth, though, the story for me is about the gentle, humble grace of one of the greatest men of our time. Unlike the adage, this was an occasion when it was in fact a blessing to meet one of your heroes. I have no doubt tens (possibly hundreds) of thousands of Americans who had the same blessing feel the same way tonight.

Thank God America had a giant like John Lewis when we needed him.