Friendship on Stage at the State of the Union

Did anyone notice the warm embrace shared between President Barack Obama and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords just before the January 24th State of the Union address?  I pay close attention to reactions and body language as much as I do the spoken word. Or maybe even more. As the President moved through the aisle greeting members of congress and distinguished guests, the stage had already been set for this moment. A year ago, Congresswoman Giffords was severely injured. The victim of a shooting that shocked, angered and saddened the entire nation. She wasn't present at last year's State of the Union address. She was struggling to stay alive. Her husband, NASA astronaut Mark Kelley was there to represent her.

One year later Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is back on her feet. It has been an unimaginable road to recovery. She has many miles ahead of her as the healing process continues. But deep inside her, in that place where you draw strength from, I know it as Spirit, hers is relentless. Even though a deranged gunmen did all he could to extinguish her fiery commitment to service, she lives, she breathes, she moves forward and she  continues to inspire!

The vicious Arizona shooting took the lives of six and wounded 13 others. And it happened on President Barack Obama's watch. Senseless agony and heartache. So when they embraced it looked as if they did so with every inch of arm they had to extend. Reaching out to hug, hold and honor. And they stood there and rocked side to side. And in one final testament to their friendship and support of each other Congresswoman Giffords laid her head on President Obama's shoulder and closed her eyes. It was an authentic moment of caring between friends.

http://www.usatoday.com/video/news/raw-video-obama-hugs-giffords-at-state-of-union/1412503106001

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/rep-debbie-wasserman-schultz-cries-at-gabby-giffords-resignation-15439114

The next day Giffords stepped down from her seat in Congress so she can focus on her recovery. Standing by her side, colleague and good friend South Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman- Shultz. Wasserman-Schultz spoke on Giffords behalf as she read her letter of resignation. But before she read the official statement she tearfully talked about her friend Gabby and everything she and her family have endured this past year. And with her voice cracking she offered a personal reflection, “It's important to remember that no matter what we argue about on this floor or in this country, there is nothing more important than family and friendship. And that should be held on high above all else."         

Sounds good to me!