Many of us in our nation woke up with what I call an election day hangover. I promise there are many who either woke up this way either because they were parting with their candidate, or this way because they are so bummed about the results. Our family was up till about one o'clock this morning glued to our computers and our news. Beginning at 6 we started to watch the news and hung on numbers. We waited till most of all the numbers came in, so waking up this morning for all of us was hard. Just hang on for this ride, I'm going to tell you how this became family time for us.
Growing up politics never concerned me much. I thought it was hooey in school when we voted for various things. If you were popular you got the vote, if you were less than in, well you better have a good concession speech. So if this was the way it was in school, this must be the way it is in the real world, this was my thought. My mom was a republican and voted every major election, but never voiced any of her political views. Later she told me that growing up she wanted me to make my own decisions what I thought was right. My dad and I had spoke of politics a few times, however what I could tell from him, he was neither republican or democrat. Forming options on my own about politics would be the way I would learn, if I would ever gain interest. When I was 17 my mom was put into the hospital to have my brother on November 8th, that was election day that year. I remember calling aunts and uncles and telling them "This kid better not be a politician!". I had already formed ideas about ALL politicians. I didn't care if I ever voted!
Who knew finding the love of my life would impact the way I view politics. Doug and I began to date, then marry the next year. By this time I was 18 and still had no desire to register to vote. The election in 2000 changed that. We learned quickly how every voted counted when we watched people counting ballots in Florida, and learning what hanging chads were. Doug and I registered that year. Doug began to listen to talk radio more and more. Things i had no clue about in government Doug could fill me in on. By george I think I found the passion in this man for something other than me.
Doug learned more and more, and sometimes board me to tears, but I always listened. Somethings I was interested in, others I thought was still a lot of mindless dribble. There were real issues that I tried convinced him that we could get involved with, at least a little. Doug not being a social kinda guy, decided it would be better, just do do our part and vote....that was till 2004. This was the year we got involved. We called people from our local office....we got out the vote, we went to political rallies, put up yard signs, stayed informed....thus the birth of our involvement in politics as a family.
Teaching our children how government works has been an ongoing event in our home. We follow important votes in Washington, and support our those who we feel represent us the best in offices. There are cheers and tears in our home when election days come. However the one thing we stress to our children is that no matter how wrapped up we get, there is always a winner, and always a loser. We will not win every time. When it is our time to be on the losing end life goes on. The sun will rise, and the sun will set. Time marches on and a new day will come. Be happy when you win, but don't rub it in to others when others lose. All things happen for a reason, and though it all God is still in control. Now my thoughts have changed since I was a kid. I'm thankful for the right to vote and thankful for a nation that allows us to voice our different opinions! No matter yesterdays out come GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE!!!!
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