First-Time Voter. Check That Box.

November 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I woke this morning to a small voice, “MOMMY!  Don’t forget…. your vote counts!”

If I have been doing anything this past month, it has been swimming in the waters of the political process and sharing every stroke with my small people. They know who is running for President of the United States, who will be the Vice President depending on who wins, who each of our State Senators and Congressmen are, as well as all major offices in the State of Missouri.

And even at six and eight, they are developing opinions. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you it makes me giddy.

You see, when I held up my right hand a mere three weeks ago and pledged allegiance to this beautiful country, I knew one of my most extraordinary rights would be the privilege to vote.  I squeaked in, registering a mere five days before the deadline.  But, as I’ve told you, I stood in a roomful of people, many of whom have never been allowed to stand on a street corner and express their political opinion, let alone cast a vote for the next leader of their country.

The 51 of us taking the Oath that day represented 25 countries – among us, Yemen, the Congo, China, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam and Bosnia-Herzegovina.  All 51 of us walked from the room and stood in line immediately to register to vote.  THAT is a treasure.  It was an honor to virtually join hands with them today on this ‘first’ for me and to provide an example to my small people.

They have so much to look forward to. This was my experience.

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Vote. Your Right. Your Responsibility.

November 5, 2012 by 8 Comments

Less than a month ago, I stood in a room with a few dozen other people.  We raised our hands and took an oath.

That oath may mean many things to many people.

But to me, becoming a United States Citizen is more than a pledge of allegience.

It is a committment to the political process in this country….whether I ‘like’ who wins tomorrow or not, I promise support.

And the only way I can be comfortable with the outcome is to believe, is to know, that I had a say in the direction this country heads.  And the only way that happens is for me to sit down and explain the process to my small people (so they may someday continue to educate themselves, form opinions and VOTE as well) and then to march my happy self into that voting booth for the very first time to cast a vote. I have written about how important this is to me before… but my emotion has done nothing but intensify over the past few weeks.

I hope you will be joining me.

I will be proudly wearing my ‘I voted’ sticker tomorrow and I will be right back here, having documented my experience.  I look forward to sharing it with you – and I hope you will share your thoughts with me as well.

How do you feel as you prepare (or don’t?) to vote tomorrow?  And how will you explain your thoughts to your children.

 

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Value Your Right To Vote

October 11, 2012 by 8 Comments

I have been an American citizen for 144 hours now.

Six days.

The very first thing I did after taking my Oath (aside from cry) was register to vote.  If you have followed along with my process at all, you know this has been a bit emotional for me – and I am certain that this right, this responsibility – the opportunity to vote in this year’s election is one of the reasons.

I stood, one of 51 people who took the Oath last week.  This group represented 25 different countries. Many of those countries do not allow their citizens the right to voice their opinions or to vote in elections.  So, this move into U.S. citizenship provides a level of freedom they have never experienced.

I am humbled.  I am honored.  Like every one of this group of 51, I registered to vote.  I will be taking advantage of this right.

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This moment in History – a letter to my children

January 20, 2009 by 1 Comment

Dear My Favorite Small People,

Today history unfolded in front of our very eyes.  Well, at least in front of mine and the millions of adults, teenagers and children who were lucky enough to grasp the magnitude of January 20, 2009.

I have tried to share the moments with you today as they happened, but you were perplexed by my ‘tears of joy’.  When you are 4 and 2 years old, you only cry when you are sad, but trust me, my sweet babies, you will shed tears in the years to come when happiness fills your soul and you simply overflow.

I have loved hearing you recognize the men running for this highest office.  Your squeals of recognition when now President Barack Obama’s face was present on our TV screen will forever be a part of my psyche.  And, Coop, he will always be part ‘E-rock O-Bana’ to me.

As we listened to Barack Obama pledge a unique allegiance to our country, I was struck by something very special:  there will be many moments in your life that root you to the ground, compelling you to remember ‘exactly where you were’ when those events happened, but, as history has shown us, most of those moments will be powerful in a tragic nature. In your history classes you will learn about 9-11, about Challenger and Columbia, about Hurricane Katrina and many others.

But today was different. Today was the opposite of tragedy – it was pure triumph. It was a beautiful tribute to the United States of America, what this country stands for and how powerful the collective voice of the people can be.

President Barack Obama is the first African American President.  He has proven that there is absolutely no dream too big.  While you and I will never truly understand the magnitude of this for the African American men, women and children in this amazing country, we will be proud that we live in a nation that is destroying the lines of race between citizens. 

President Obama will be the President you initially hear most about in school as he will be in Office as you begin to learn.  He has a very tough road ahead of him, and I truly hope he will be someone you respect.

I know it will be years before Obama’s gift as an orator will effect you as it has me, but I hope you can take comfort in my words as I tell you, he is something special.  He, whether you agree with all of his political philosophies or not, has moved Americans (and many from other countries as well) in a way that few have.  He is giving hope in a time that we need it.  He is dreaming and setting lofty goals in a time that has been drowning in a collective frustration with a down economy, millions of lost jobs, and a continuing war.

His gift for inspiring and offering hope, I believe, are just the beginning. 

I hope, as you get older, you will know that my priority is and always has been the two of you – your health, your education, your safety, your dreams.  I respect President Barack Obama because I believe his priorities and mine are the same: You and the other children who make up the future of the United States. 

I love you and am grateful you tried to share my joy and awe today.  And, I know that President Barack Obama would think your little kid enthusiasm for his moment in history was something special.

Love Always,

Mommy

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