Soon, So Soon

Since last week, I've been bustling and bumbling over the elections at work. For homework, I've asked my students to read these handouts with their parents so that they don't get screwed at the voting sites on November 4th. I told them to record their impressions of tonight's Obama Special. We've been using whole class periods to view photographs of Barack because the images ignite such a lively discussion amongst them and their curiosities and observations about him deserve to be heard and acknowledged. The same child who had no idea Hillary was no longer in the race told me she felt Obama would treat her like his own daughter if elected president because of how much he talks about his own daughters and his wife. (Maybe all the lights aren't on, but the ones that are shine brightly.) I got misty-eyed and choked up when I was telling them that when I was their age, I would never have thought I'd have the chance to vote in an election in which all the candidates weren't white men. First, the babies looked at me like I was just pitiful, and then started saying, "I wish I could vote in this election!" I wish my grandma was around to see it. My grandfather, 85 years old and in deteriorating physical condition, is voting early. I wish I could go with him to the polls. I wish my grandmother were alive for this. Maybe in my lifetime, there will be a ballot than spans a multitude of races, genders, sexual orientations and creeds.
It's been such a show, such a flippin' production, these last two years. I think back to when Obama first announced he was running, I was so skeptical and disbelieving of this man and his campaign and his capabilities. Like many, I came around in early 2007, not so much because of Barack himself, but because I couldn't ignore the disgust and sickness I felt when I thought of our current administration. As a teacher who learns every day just how much the system is in need of repair, and as a woman who wants a family and a home sooner rather than later, I had to finally start thinking beyond the next few days. Barack's plans seemed more viable than any other candidate's. Then Michelle became increasingly visible and vocal, and it was a wrap. Some of my skepticism will forever remain; he is, after all, a politician. But I think he has run an almost flawless campaign.
Less than a week, my goodness. I'm not looking forward to the long lines that await me, and I'm hoping it's not too cold or too rainy, or that my name hasn't mysteriously disappeared from the rosters. But I'm ridiculously excited. I am not taking anything for granted and I really hope other supporters/voters aren't either.
I told my students and the principal that on November 5th, should Barack win or lose, I will not be able to teach. I will either be crying tears of joy or tears of rage, but either way I will be hysterical.
One student asked, "If he wins, can we have a party, Miss B?" What else could we do?