Lend A Hand {Catherine Spark 80th Election Speech}
Jan 18, 2019 21:04:13 GMT -5
Post by kap on Jan 18, 2019 21:04:13 GMT -5
Catherine Spark
District Three
District Three
"What's waited till tomorrow starts tonight
It starts tonight"
~
"This District," I began, "Needs a hand."It starts tonight"
~
I looked out to the people of the District I call home. The people of District Three knew loss. We knew pain and sadness. We knew what despair felt like. I felt that, too, and I wanted to make all of that go away, but I couldn't. No one could ever make it all go away, but we could always try to make it better.
"I'm here today to tell you all that I, Catherine Spark, am here to lend that hand." They needed to know that I, too, felt their pain, and that, although I couldn't make it go away, I was here to show them that I understood, and that I sympathized with them. I needed them to know that we're all in this together.
"When my son, Bolts Spark, was reaped for the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games, I was distraught. Yes, I had confidence in him, but all the while, I had worry. My heart ached as he fought, and it shattered when he fell. Over the years, however, I started to recover." I paused a moment and held back tears, although I couldn't prevent my eyes from watering at the thought of what happened to Bolts. I continued to speak.
"Five years later, my daughter, Florence, was reaped for the Seventy-Ninth Games, and I went through the same thing that I had gone through with my son. I'm sure many of you have experienced similar things, and I want you to know that I understand. Although I can't make the pain you feel go away, I can try to help you heal, at least a little bit, as time goes on. I am here to help any and all of District Three's citizens. I want to make a difference."
I knew my time to speak was running out now, and I would have to finish things up, so I went into the message I truly needed to give them.
"Not only am I here to help those who have experienced loss, but I am here to help all of you. I am here to bring us all together as a community and make us stronger. I want to help you get to know your fellow citizens, to meet new friends, to socialize with that one neighbor you may not have said more than hello to. Most importantly, however, I want you to know how much I care for every single citizen in this District, and that you always, always will be able to reach out to me for help should you need it. Even if you just need a friend, I'll be here."
One last message as my time on stage ticked away:
"I don't just want to be your mayor, I also want to be your friend, here to lend a hand whenever you need it."
I exited the stage to clapping and cheering, my heart racing and my eyes tearing up. In my mind, I'd relived the deaths of my children, but maybe I'd helped people, too. I had the desire to give people the assistance that I'd always wanted myself.
Lyrics: "From Now On" from The Greatest Showman
Words: 515
Notes: Catherine Spark Mayor Speech
credit to Laura of Adox
