It’s an incredible time to be alive, isn’t it? Today we’re voting in either the first black president in the history of the United States or the first female vice president in the history of the United States.
Either way makes history.
And it’s an amazing time to be raising children old enough to understand the implications of these firsts. We’ll be camped out in front of the TV tonight, computer (and probably Twitter) in hand, watching the returns.
I’ve been talking to the girls about JFK’s assassination in the last few weeks, how my whole life I’ve read and heard people describe where they were when they heard the news, how they could describe what they were doing and wearing and feeling down to the last detail. And I’ve told them about the two times I can do the same:
1. The Challenger Disaster
This was shocking to everyone, of course, including fourth-grade me and especially since a teacher had died, too. I remember, vividly, the way our teachers let students go into the library to watch TV footage of the explosion.
2. 9/11
Six months pregnant with my first grader, I was home with a two year-old AG that morning. Mr. Asthma Mom called from work to tell me to turn on CNN.
My daughters know they’ll have this day to remember for the rest of their lives, and I’m grateful they’re alive for it and that it’s not steeped in tragedy like my two examples. The girls will open history books with their own children, if they have any, point to the chapter on Election Day 2008 and tell them,
“I was nine years-old.”
Or:
“I was six years-old.”
And:
“Your grandma told us, ‘Remember this day. You’re going to read about this election in history books someday.’”
(Dear God, I am going to be called Grandma someday.)
Well, AG probably will, since she can grasp abstract concepts in a way a first grader just can’t yet. It’s a toss-up for her sister, who listens to me–and even nods her head–but then responds,
“Okay. Can I have some of my Halloween candy now?”
Still!
Go be democratic and stuff. Make a little history today.
Afterwards, pick up these freebies as part of Election Day celebrations:
Starbucks
One cup of brewed coffee
Krispy Kreme
One star-shaped doughnut
Ben & Jerry’s Shops
One free scoop between 5:00 and 8:00 pm
Finally, if were any doubt left, I’m not only “fired up” but also more than ready for this country to go in a direction that involves a smarter, more renewable energy policy instead of going for the short-term drilling fix. That provides affordable health care for more people and especially children rather than tax credit-based “reform” that will only further the gender discrimination in health insurance. That values higher education instead of trying to paint it as “elitist” or “liberal.” That keeps thirtysomethings like me and twentysomethings like so many campaign volunteers excited and active in American politics:
I was in second grade when I heard about the Challenger. I remember it so clearly, how my teacher came into the room, crying.
And I don’t think I’ll ever forget 9/11, since I was in New York City at the time, although I didn’t find out about it until hours later because I was rehearsing a play in a darkened theater in Midtown.
Challenger exploded the day before I had my middle daughter. 9/11 is my oldest daughter’s birthday.
These trail markers on our journey have such an impact…
Vote! (And comment for a cause)
I think the Challenger explosion was my first recognition of tragedy on a wide scale. In fourth grade, reading or hearing about wars never meant much to me personally (or any other 9 year-old), bu that a TEACHER had died. A regular person! I’ll remember that realization forever.