Dear Hillary

Dear Hillary,
I'm so sorry.  I never wanted to be writing this letter.  But, I wanted you to know how much you have meant to me. Ten years younger than you, I grew up looking up to you, watching you.

In 1992 I took my not quite 1-year-old son to see you and Bill as you traveled across Pennsylvania following the convention.  I drove a couple of hours on a hot August day because I wanted my son to be a part of something I believed in.  It was exciting to see the crowds turn out for the Clinton Gore bus tour.  You even gave my son a little pat.

I admired you as you fought hard for health care reform, fought to find a voice as First Lady.  I admired you even more as you struggled to work through marital problems in the public spotlight.  Now that I have faced similar struggles, I can imagine the pain and loneliness you felt as your decisions and choices were second guessed by people who had no idea.

I voted for you to be my senator in New York state. I heard about your vacations down the road in  Skanaeteles. I enjoyed the New York State Fair, just as you did. I shook Bill's hand when he was the commencement speaker at Syracuse University where I was teaching.

As Secretary of State you traveled the world representing the United States, but, more importantly, representing women.  You fought for the rights of girls and women around the world--rights to education, to health care, to contraception, to independence.  You spoke eloquently at Syracuse University in 2012 about your passion for women's rights.

Your bid for the presidency was the culmination of a life spent caring about the concerns of others, often, I'm sure, at the expense of your own needs. I'm sorry you lost. I'm sorry for you, for myself, and for my country.

I am fortunate to have many strong, passionate, caring women in my life.  These women will not forget what you have done, will not forget the lessons you taught.  I will work even harder to show those younger than me that women's voices matter, that their voices matter.

You have left an enduring legacy, and I'm forever grateful to have had you in my life.

Chris