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This is a @staceyabrams appreciation thread. Everyone is showering her with praise today and I want to join in by sharing a few personal stories about her. Here’s a pic from the night we met when I didn’t know how to smile. 1/
I met Stacey two years ago, shortly after her 2018 election. It turned out to be the night before my Grandma passed away. Even though she was a stranger, I shared with her what was going on and how I would likely have to get on a plane for Chicago soon to say goodbye. 2/
It felt like she was an old friend. She comforted me. When the night was over, she gave me her cell and asked for mine. She said she would keep in touch. The next day, I flew to Chicago. While on the flight (no WiFi), Stacey texted to check on me and Grandma. 3/
I got her text when I landed. My Grandma died the moment I stepped off the gangway & into the gate at O’Hare. I missed her by 30 mins. I was pretty devastated & since Stacey was the last person to text me, I texted her back. I was still in shock. Here I was, grieving ... 4/
and the first person I shared the news with was someone I had met the night before. Her kindness helped get me to the hospital where I said goodbye, just a little too late. She kept in touch after that. 5/
When I started a voting rights org, she *offered* to be the first member of my advisory board. Imagine not even asking, but having Stacey Abrams offer to advise your non-profit. I was ecstatic. She helped me out for eight months before I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. 6/
I had built a fabulous policy advisory board with @sbagen, @vanitaguptaCR, @taniel, @WendyRWeiser, @KristenClarkeJD, @MariaTeresa1 & @_justinlevitt_. But in the end, I couldn’t find an ED & I wasn’t qualified or able to run it. It was heart-breaking when I decided to stop. 7/
And I was terrified to tell Stacey. She had really invested herself in me and the project. I had failed. I didn’t want to let her down. I called her to tell her my decision & I just ranted for 5 mins about how it was too hard for me at the time & that I wasn’t the person... 8/
I used to be, who could’ve pulled this off. I struggled to launch the org while maintaining my priorities of being a good dad & husband while also staying healthy & sober. After my rant, she asked me, “Are you done?”. I sheepishly said yes. She asked, “Can I give you some... 9/
feedback?”. I sheepishly said yes. “I won’t allow you to use the word failure to describe your effort. You have already made a difference by having the conversation. When you started this you told me your top priorities were your daughter & wife, your health & your sobriety...10/
What I’m hearing is someone who is sticking to their word & honoring those priorities. I’m impressed. I don’t think any less of you, rather the opposite. You say you aren’t the person you used to be, who could have pulled this off, but at what cost? I didn’t know you before...11/
But the person I know now sounds like a better person. Don’t beat yourself up about not being someone you don’t want to be anymore anyway. Why don’t you be you and stop trying to be me. I’ll do the work on voting. There is always room for you to join us later.” 12/
This was one of the most kind & generous conversations I had ever had. I felt seen & comforted, and I also felt like she was being honest. She gave me permission to walk away & not hate myself for it. That wasn’t the type of support I was used to getting. 13/
Here’s another story: when I was diagnosed as autistic in January at the age of 45, it was a lot to process. Stacey was one of the first people I told. I called her up w/out warning, she answered, and I shared my story. She listened, as she always does, then... 14/
Asked me thoughtful questions & comforted me once again. I didn’t trust everyone with that information in that moment, but I trusted her & I’m glad I did. One last story... 15/
We were at an event together in LA last year on January 31st, a Thursday. Part of the day was spent with me in conversation with Stacey to discuss voting for about 100 people. Here’s a pic. 16/
Early in the morning, I was in the green room when she arrived. There were a bunch of people there & they all wanted to talk to her. She found me right away, gave me a big hug & sat next to me, close. She said, “I want to tell you something because I know you’ll understand... 17/
She whispered, “My Grandma died yesterday. I’m sad, but she lived a great life, lived to be 91.” I gave her another hug. She said, “I don’t want anyone else to know, we have a long day here and I’ll keep it professional.” I asked when she was going to Mississippi for the... 18/
Services. She said, “After all day here, I have a dinner tonight. Then I have a 12:20a flight out of LAX & a connecting flight to MS. I’ll get in early in the morning (on Friday) and will see my family then. The services are over the weekend. Then on Sunday I fly home to... 19/
Atlanta where I have to work on my speech.” The speech she was referring to was the Democratic response to Donald Trump’s State of the Union address!!! Stacey did her job that day. She went to her dinner. She flew to MS & grieved w/ her family. She flew home & had 36 hours... 20/
To prepare to address the nation! There are a lot of details in that story that tell you who Stacey is, but none more so than the fact she didn’t tell anyone! She didn’t use her Grandmother’s death to gain political capital, or leverage her personal grief to gain sympathy... 21/
A publicist would have killed to leak this story! But Stacey just did what she did & absolutely nailed the speech. I hope she doesn’t get mad at me for sharing this story. 22/
As I look around the internet today, I see such a tremendous outpouring of love & praise for Stacey. It makes me happier than words can express. She worked for YEARS,using her impeccable vision, charisma & work ethic to change Georgia & our country. And she did it!!! 23/
I’m sharing some of my personal stories, but this has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Stacey. I want to share them with the world because she never would & I want y’all to know she’s an even better human than you knew, which probably seemed impossible. 24/
Stacey, if you see this (she doesn’t follow me here, probably her only fault!), I want you to know that you are such an inspiration to me. Your kindness, generosity & friendship have touched me forever. Enjoy your day & I can’t wait to see you help deliver the Senate! 25/
