Some with pride, some with hope, some with uncertainty. There were folks there from all kinds of trades in this town, and from one of the largest varieties of melting pots I have ever seen. The nationalities were endless, the tension in the air thick.
There were miners. Single moms and single dads. People on their lunchbreak. Grandparents and veterans. Working girls and homeless vagrants. All were lined up to sign their name on the dotted line. Parents brought smaller children with them. This alone made me smile.
By bringing your two, three or even four year old with you to the polls, you are showing them a responsibility and privilege that is given to you. It is a right yes, but indeed a privilege fought for a provided to you. You teach them this, even though they may seem like they aren't paying attention. Every time you walk up to that booth with your little one, he or she sees that you are doing something. And to you, though you may take it for granted, that something is an amazing accomplishment that each individual person can achieve in their lifetime, even if only once. It is a voice... YOUR voice, heard throughout the country in sync with millions of others just like you. And your small one learns that from you.
In this, once your little one grows up, you get the honor like I did today to take them to their first voting. The first time they register, sign that card, and place their ballot on the line with yours and your voice is a moment of sincere pride and joy. This is a time to recollect on all of those times that they were scrambling about, making noise, interrupting others as they voted, and yet you were there, with them, at your booth making your mark and teaching them this valuable lesson.
The moral is to teach without showing, and speak without using words. Show your children who you are. Move on with life with them, and make them proud to be who they are. Vote, no matter what your selection is, and take your kids with you.
Love