A Stone’s Throw Away: The King and the Monuments

So, there we were, standing in the great city of Washington, D.C., where the monuments are almost as plentiful as the tourists trying to take selfies with them (and failing dramatically).

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was proudly holding its ground, a sturdy granite statue defined by its perseverance and vision—much like us trying to get a decent breakfast at the hotel buffet before the morning rush!

Now, let’s talk about the Stone of Hope (no Anna-Lena, not the Bacon of Hope), which is not just the name of my favorite ski trip destination (don’t ask), but also the magnificent granite statue of MLK carved by Lei Yixin. Some say it’s the epitome of hope, while others might argue it’s the world’s largest and most aspirational doorstop. Seriously! You could prop up half of the monuments in D.C. with that thing. But I digress.

As we strolled through the four-acre expanse of the memorial, I couldn’t help but think how fitting it is to have a tribute to someone who spoke about dreams right next to the towering Washington Monument, which quite literally points to the sky… as if to say, “Hey, you have dreams? I’ll just stand here while you try to reach them!” Talk about some serious monument rivalry!

While MLK’s statue emanates a sense of calm and inspiration, the Washington Monument towers in the background like that one friend who can’t stop bragging about what they did in high school. “Oh, you organized a peaceful protest? Well, my height is 555 feet, and I was completed in 1884. But good job on that one!”

Amidst the granite gazes and towering heights, one could almost hear the conversation between the two monumental icons. King might say, “I have a dream,” while the Washington Monument responds, “I have a… very impressive height.” And then there’s the D.C. weather, adding its own “funny” touch: a bit rainy one moment, sunny the next—like Mother Nature can’t decide which vibe to go for.

People stroll through the memorial, children scurry with ice cream (the real monument being their sticky fingers), and the soft echo of history fills the air. And let’s not forget the obligatory Instagram post! If you haven’t posed in front of a giant statue with a filter that makes you look like a glowing angel, are you even in D.C.?

In all seriousness, standing before the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is no laughing matter. It’s a powerful reminder of profound change, hope, and the dream that unites us. A dwarfing statue with an undeniable presence, it stands strong—just like those lines for the museum around the corner.

So whether you’re an aspiring influencer, a history buff, or just a lover of granite in all its glory, the MLK Memorial has something for everyone. Just remember: don’t trip over your own feet trying to snap that perfect shot. Call it a “memorial moment” if you do—after all, we could all use a little lightheartedness in front of such a serious face of hope.

Image via NASA https://ift.tt/U5i8FPA