Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Some Super Tuesday Gratitude

Today is Super Tuesday, although by the time you read this it could very well be Wild Wednesday, Happy Hump Day, or Wacky Windsday. Again...I digress.

In my family, we would always have very heated debates about politics (and not just about the fact that Grandy was constantly a smarta$$). My parents had their very strong beliefs and challenged us to have ours (except for the smarta$$ thing). And boy did we have our opinions and beliefs on everything.

Flashback to 1980 presidential elections. Little Grandy and her twin sister are interviewed on the local news station about who we will vote for for President.

Newslady - And if you could vote, who would you vote for?
Little Grandy - Mr. Reagan
Newslady - Why?
Little Grandy - Because that's who my mommy and daddy want to win.

(notice...pre-smarta$$ era) Remember...I was 8.

Dad was as political as they come. Without going into what and who he was passionate about, I could just tell you that at his funeral, there were many mentions of his political satire and sarcasm (wonder where I get the smarta$$ trait?). Even my son, after meeting me at my parents' house when he had died, bowed his head to pray. In his prayer, he asked God to remind Grandpa when it was election day so he could come vote. Hmmm...He was 8.

I've never really posted about politics because that's not what this blog is about. But as I am filled with Dad's memory in my first full presidential campaign without him, I am reminded of some simple things to be thankful for:
  1. I am grateful to Mom and Dad for helping me understand the importance of having a voice and casting a vote.
  2. I am grateful to be in a country where we are allowed to not only vote, but openly discuss differences and shortcomings without being judged.
  3. Regardless of anyone's political beliefs, I have to be grateful to witness history in the event of the first black man and first woman to run for president.
  4. I am grateful to Dad for teaching my son about his voice and opening his mind to questions, but I can't help but regret he can't be here to help me with the answers.
  5. I am so very grateful to my Mom who, as I start to ache and miss Dad, reminds me what a strong-minded woman she is in her own right. She's so articulate and strong. Her positive attitude is truly an inspiration. Today, she volunteered at the polling station.

Thanks Mom & Dad!!

Love you BOTH!!

20 comments:

Nora said...

This is a lovely tribute.

Kelly O said...

Aw, this really was lovely.

My state votes in a week. I have never been so conflicted about who to vote for. What to do, what to do?

Christina said...

Oh, this is such a wonderful post!
Nice tribute to your dad.

I have parents who were big Reagan supporters too :-) The difference is that the first vote I cast for President was for Reagan's second term in 1984 - I totally copied them at first! I've taken a bit of a left turn since then, but we still talk politics respectfully. I'm trying to teach my boys the same thing - participate, debate respectfully and educate yourself.

Tina Coruth said...

Great post, Grandy!!
Tina

Mrs. G. said...

Kudos to your dad. I think heated debate it, well, hot, and I absolutely respect everyone's right to vote for who they want to. Even when I think they are crazy. I have seen relationships end over personal choice. What a waste.

storyteller said...

I love gratitude posts always, and this one is truly special. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,

rivera said...

Ok Grandy I too remember those endless days and nights with CNN on at mom and dads. I remember the sacred rule to never never Change the CNN channel without asking. I also thought about your dad on Super Tuesday, with a smile on my face and a vaccum in my hand.

Se se puede!!
Dad would be proud...

Grandy said...

Nora~ Thanks so much!!

Kelly~ I read on faboo mama's site that one polling precinct in another state had people show up yesterday and their election is next week. Wasn't you was it?

Christina~ Educating yourself is the key!!

Thanks Tina!!

Mrs. G~ Truly a waste to let a relationship go to pot when there are differences that can't be discussed.

storyteller~ Thanks for stopping by, glad you liked.

Rivera~ I LOVE YOU!!! Thank you for the smile my dear, true friend. The VACUUM!!

Dens said...

Hi Mar, I too thought of Dad yesterday..it would have been a really big day for him! We talked a little about this on Saturday, too...in addition to what Rivera said, I also remember to never be loud when Rush Limbaugh was on... What a perfect thing for Mom to do to honor Dad's memory....I can still picture him sitting at the kitchen table playing solitare...

What a great post, thanks for the memory.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

My family takes it voting very seriously. One of my treasured family mementos is a newspaper clipping of my great grandmother, on a stretcher, being rolled into a polling place to cast her vote.

Yay for democracy!

Momisodes said...

What a lovely tribute post.....So special :) Thanks for sharing.

krissy said...

This was beautiful! Teary-eyed beautiful!

Grandy said...

Dens~ After my accident you, Dad & me had some good times hanging out. THANK YOU!!

Jenn~ YAY is RIGHT!!

Sandy~ Thank you for giving me an audience to share with. ;)

Krissy~ I cried writing it but felt much better afterwards.

Michele said...

Ah, what an inspiring post, Mary! I'm so sorry you lost your dad, but your mother sounds amazing! Thank God you still have her. ;-)

This was touching...

(((Cyber Hugs))) & Smiles,
Michele

Tina Coruth said...

Grandy,

I just dropped by again to let you know I have a little surprise for you at my blog. I hope you will drop if you get a chance!

Tina

Mike Golch said...

I'm fircely independant,but have been know to Vote both Repulican and democrat.I vote for the best candidate,and Have been know to go on diatribes at the family gathering against both the pebs,and the dems,especially ehen they do really stupid things.sometimes I raise the tail feathers of my family if I going off about a cretain party.(it their part right or wrong)

Grandy said...

Tina~ Finally got the suprise in there. Thanks so much!!

Mike~ I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to comment back (if you're reading my reply). Thanks for faithfully stopping by.

Anonymous said...

That's great! You and your mom are wonderful! I only wish I could've met your dad!

MP said...

shhhh I still vote the same as my mom :-)
I wanted to vote for Mr Reagan too..and never got too..my first vote was for Mr Bush (the dad)

Grandy said...

MP~ Didn't get to vote for the Dad...I was only 16. It doesn't matter who my first vote was for now, it didn't happen. ;)