Kate Has An Evening of Enchantment

John and I attended the state dinner held in honor of the signing of the Israel-Egyptian peace treaty. It was a tremendously historic occasion. All of official Washington was willing to stand out in the cold for a chance to dine at the White House and celebrate peace.
The dinner was the largest state occasion held in recent memory with 1300 invited guests. To accommodate the Dumber, a huge tent filled with elegantly set tables was put up on the south lawn.
When we arrived at 7:15 a line leading to the White House had already formed. In the next few minutes it had extended all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue. The doors opened "promptly at 7:30" with the guards checking off the guests whose entry card was the telegram inviting them. As we waited in the near freezing temperatures, one guest commented about all "the power" shivering on the sidewalk. However, not even teeth chattering could put a chill on the evening. Everyone waited patiently to be admitted, including Lynda Johnson Robb who once called the White House home and several other notables who hope to do the same. Even Ted Kennedy, whose plans for a change in residence are still up in the air, took his place at the end of the line.
Upon arriving in the tent the excitement was almost overwhelming. The table hopping could be likened to a college prom or an Irish wedding. After the meal was served and before the official
toast, most everyone was up and milling about. It was a night like no other and the crowd was making the most of it.
Within ten minutes I exchanged glances with Henry Kissinger, received a big kiss and hug from Tip O'Neill, kissed Miss Lillian and agreed with her that John is the cutest congressman, accepted congratulations on Machaela's birth from Vice President Mondale, congratulated and thanked President Carter for his success in making the treaty, glimpsed Prime Minister Begin who was already surrounded, and almost swooned when I shook hands with President Sadat.
With pounding heart and whirling head I returned to our table where we toasted the peace treaty with champagne and chocolate mousse. Shalom!
April 5, 1979