Would Lincoln have lived if he had worn his big hat to the Ford Theater?
Although I love history, I am not one of those persons who walk around knowing what historical event happened on every day of the year. So it was quite interesting that I began reading my book club’s monthly choice — “Assassination Vacation” by Sarah Vowell — at this particular time. The book takes an irreverent look at the first three presidential assassinations and links them to our wacky culture at large. I guess that is how I would describe it. After all, I’ve just started reading it.
The reason it was interesting to be reading this book now is because tomorrow, April 14, was the day in 1865 on which President Abraham Lincoln was shot in the balcony of the Ford Theater while watching the play “Our American Cousin.” Lincoln died the next morning. If I had ever known April 14 was the date Lincoln was shot I had forgotten it. I associate April 14 with two major events in my life, the latest taking place April 14, 2005.
My daughter was born on April 14, 1979. I got an e-mail from her today saying that she was going to New York for the weekend as a birthday present to herself. I told her I thought that sounds like fun.
April 14 of last year was the date I left my last full-time job and headed down the path to becoming a freelance writer (and blogger). Right at this moment, I am butt-deep in the ever-tedious work of tech writing but I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I can say with no hesitation that I absolutely have no regrets about having left my job. That is despite how I left all went down, a subject I am forbidden to talk about because of a confidential agreement I signed. Sound mysterious? It’s really not, trust me.
I probably should have written this tomorrow when it will be April 14, but as buried as I am in work, I don’t know if I will even have time to post something tomorrow. In the meantime, if you go to a play tomorrow evening be sure to watch your back. And, have a very happy birthday, Lisa!