People I'd Love to Have Met

I know this is impossible, but if there was some way that I could create a small tear in the time-space continuum where I could go back in time to any point in history, there are several people I'd love to meet. Here are some of them:

• Jesus of Nazareth: I know, cliche. Extra odd considering I am not a Christian. But this is the man who has had the greatest impact on western civilization. And I'd be willing to guess that what he taught and what Christianity today teaches are more opposite than they are alike.
• Vlad "the Impaler": He is the person on whom Bram Stoker based his famous character. It would be pretty cool to meet Dracula before he died, wouldn't it?
• Moses: I need to know. I'm a believer in the idea that much of our religious beliefs are based on the game of operator (think it through). I'd love to know how much of this man's legend is true, and I'd love to bear witness to the Exodus.
• George Washington: The first general, first hero, first president. He fought for something larger than himself. He risked his life and the lives of others so that we could be free from European tyranny. Then he rejected the opportunity to be that tyrant himself. I'd love to meet a man so courageous. Of course, I would then ask him how he could fight for freedom and own slaves at the same time. Hey, I would.
• Abraham Lincoln: The second of three presidents I'd like to have met. I'd love to meet the man who managed to keep us together as best he could, to finally free the slaves and to attempt to mend the country in a gentle fashion. I'd also like to tell him that the show at Ford's is grossly overrated and advise him to stay home.
• My grandfather: My father's book, entitled Meant To Be, chronicles our family's history and tells why, among other things, I never met my biological grandfather. Pick up the book, by the way -- it's an incredible story. I'd love to meet the man who my grandmother considered the love of her life.
• Il Conte Cervini: The Count is, as far as I know, alive and well in Tuscany. I want to meet him and find out more family history, including where my side of the family links up with his (Francesca Cervini).
• Theodore Roosevelt: One of my idols, he was the definition of 20th Century manhood. His stories are fascinating. He was courageous and bold. He was our first "environmentalist" president. He was the first president to invite an African-American to the White House as a guest. And his quotes are lessons in life.
• Ernest Hemingway: As a younger man, of course. He'd have been a pleasure to run with, I think. He's also my favorite writer, so I would love to learn from Papa.
• Lou Gehrig: Babe Ruth had too much side show attraction. I want to meet the single-minded great ballplayer who really made the Yankees who they are today. I'd have loved to watch his swing, to see him run and catch and play. I'd be a kid again for that moment in time, watching with awe as the 1927 Yankees played.

There are plenty more, but this makes a nice list. Now, to work on that time machine...