Ever since my mom died, 18 months ago, I (like everyone else who has lost a parent or other close loved one) have experienced a number of emotional "firsts" - first Christmas without her, first birthday without her, first anniversary of her death, etc.
This is the first national election without my mom, and it feels very strange indeed. Politics has always been an important feature in my family. Living in Florida, I marked the fall season not by the changing foliage, but by spending many of my school day afternoons in the rented office space of various campaign headquarters - my sister and I would alternately work on our homework, stuff envelopes and play board games. Election night usually meant a "victory" party in a hotel, or sometimes at our house.
There weren't a whole lot of victories for us to celebrate until 1980 (The Regean revolution) which was the first Presidential election I was able to vote in. I have fond memories of my mom and dad, and many of their long-suffering fellow GOPers running through the house with lit sparklers!
We have early voting here in Florida, but I don't think I'll ever take advantage of it. For me, there's just something special and inspiring about going to the polls on Election Day.
And something sad about the realization that my mom won't be casting her vote today.
Whatever your political views, please go vote. It's our most fundamental right as Americans!
This is the first national election without my mom, and it feels very strange indeed. Politics has always been an important feature in my family. Living in Florida, I marked the fall season not by the changing foliage, but by spending many of my school day afternoons in the rented office space of various campaign headquarters - my sister and I would alternately work on our homework, stuff envelopes and play board games. Election night usually meant a "victory" party in a hotel, or sometimes at our house.
There weren't a whole lot of victories for us to celebrate until 1980 (The Regean revolution) which was the first Presidential election I was able to vote in. I have fond memories of my mom and dad, and many of their long-suffering fellow GOPers running through the house with lit sparklers!
We have early voting here in Florida, but I don't think I'll ever take advantage of it. For me, there's just something special and inspiring about going to the polls on Election Day.
And something sad about the realization that my mom won't be casting her vote today.
Whatever your political views, please go vote. It's our most fundamental right as Americans!
to you today . . .
