Have you been watching the HBO miniseries on John Adam based on the book by David McCullough?  Mr. Right and I have.  We would have watched this show even if the writers had not gone on strike and created a vacuum of decent shows to watch. 

The costumes and the set are wonderful. The script is great as well.  The best part is learning more about the life of John Adams and America’s Founding Fathers.  John Adams was instrumental in convincing the individual colonies to unite and rebel against England.  He was on the committee with Thomas Jefferson, who actually drafted the Declaration, and Benjamin Franklin to write the Declaration of Independence.  He spent much time overseas working to secure funding for America’s war and as one of our country’s first Ambassadors.  He was America’s first Vice President and second President. 

Watching the show has given me chills a few times and it has moved me to tears other times.  When Adams and Franklin read Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence and then later when it was passed by the Continental Congress and read to the public, chills went up and down my spine.  Knowing that the work of the Continental Congress and the resulting Declaration and war are what created what is now the United States of America and then watching it come to life on the screen was very moving to me. 

I have been to 2 Inaugural Ceremonies of the President of the United States.  The ceremony is an incredible event to attend and I encourage anyone who cares passionately about this country to add it your list of things to do before you die.  Watching in person the peaceful transition of power from one President to another is truly an amazing thing.  Both times when I was in DC at the event, I had tears in my eyes and was emotional.  Watching the television miniseries depict George Washington’s swearing in and inaugural ceremonies, moved me to tears.  In many ways it was humbling to see this knowing that these events started what ultimately led to my ability to attend an Inaugural Swearing-In.

John Adams and his wife, Abigail, had an incredible relationship.  They were best friends as well as husband and wife.  He listened to her and respected her opinion.  She listened to him and respected him as well.  Many historians say she was the first women’s rights advocate in our country.  While the Continental Congress was meeting, she wrote him many of letters.  In at least one of the letters she told him to remember the women as they were drafting the Declaration.  She also abhorred slavery. 

Watching Abigail Adams’ life in the miniseries makes me feel like a very weak person.  As a stay at home mom in 2008, I complain about my laundry and dread errands like grocery shopping.  In 1776, Abigail Adams had to take care of her 4 children while her husband was away.  Among other things, she had to grow their food, cut the firewood, make the clothes, scrub the house, teach the children their lessons, and scrub their clothes to clean them.  To wash clothes I just have to throw a load in our electric washing machine and then into the dryer.  I do not have to use a scrub board, wash tub, and clothes line.  And I certainly don’t have to maintain a fully operational farm to provide us with vegetables, eggs, milk, and meat.  In addition to these routine living chores, because of the position her family was taking for liberation from England, they were under increased threats from England.  When her husband left for France during the Revolutionary War, she was left at home in wartime to take care of the house and family.  It certainly puts my routine everyday chores in perspective.

Mr. Right and I are looking forward to the next installment on Sunday night that will depict Adams as the second President of the United States.

Have you been watching the John Adams miniseries?  What are your thoughts on it?  Has anything stood out in the show to you?

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