November Election - Someone Still Has to Raise the Children

As we come to probably the most historical and important election in the past 50 years, I can't help but be both hopeful and irritated. Don't get me wrong...I do think that Obama's election as the next president of the United States will be crucial to securing the kind of world in which I want to raise my kids. But that is also my point....someone still has to raise the kids.

Eilidh's school has an annual chicken supper. Last year it raised $18,000 for "extras" for the school...technology, playground equipment, cool and artsy assemblies. Moms, dads, teachers, principals devote weeks to planning the fried chicken, green beans, mashed potato from a box, sweeth tooth booth, and cake walk. I am new to this, and as a reluctant volunteer Mom, I thought the easiest way out was to direct traffic in the parking lot. I told my husband that I was devoting two hours to volunteer at the chicken supper. He said (surprised) "Why don't you just volunteer at the Obama office downtown?"

I was irritated. Was my attempt at volunteerism less than his - campaigning for Obama in a pivotal, swing state? Today, after the Biden rally, we went home via McDonald's (a treat bribe to the kids for being good at the rally...even Calum can sass a scary Secret Service). James helped me put the kids down for their nap. And then he went and did a very noble and scary thing. He knocked on doors for the Obama campaign. One person out of 50 said that they would vote for Obama. One person actually said, "I would vote for a chocolate bar before I'd vote for Obama."

I did not knock on doors for Obama. I took Eilidh to her friend's house for a playdate. I took the dog (and a two year old in-tow) to the vet for shots. I cleaned up my car after a scared dog puked all over it (funny - dog puke is much less smelly than kid puke). I ordered pizza and made the kids wash their hands. James returned home and we both had a beer to calm our nerves....wound tight for very different reasons. I love husband, and I am so proud of him for his efforts at changing our country and our world.

My husband wears a black bracelet inscribed with the names of two soldiers fallen in Iraq. Two boys who were friends of a student in his history class. Their names and dates of death are there as a reminder to him....a reason for why he does what he does. However hokey....I want a necklace. I want a necklace with the birthstones of my children. A reason for why I do what I do.

My point is this...someone still has to raise the kids. McCain, Obama...someone still has to raise the kids. Hopefully, in a post-Obama world, chicken suppers might go away as education becomes more of a priority. But my guess is that we'll always need chicken suppers. And moms and dads. Life will go on no matter what. I do want to fight for a leader that believes in diplomacy, children, the underserved, the forgotten....but either way, I still need to teach my children that education is important; helping others is our duty and privilege; wars should only be fought for good reason, and little boys should not die for naught. Most importantly, I want my children to know that no matter what, I'm there for them in my reflective gear directing hungry families to the fried chicken.