My teener, preteener and kidlets returned to our homebase after this historic day at school where they either watched or heard about inauguration activities for President Obama. Listening to the boys has made me reflect on my own school days and I don't personally recall knowing about the inaugurations. Is this is the case with other parents?
With the Presidential Parade on the telly right now, I have decided to journal the comments and questions that have come out of the mouths of my babes. I want our boys to have this memory to share with their own children.
Intertwined in this post are their precious, funny and telling comments. Based on these statements Kenny and I, along with their history teachers, have some work to do.
Dylan~"I kinda feel bad for Michelle Obama (long pause), she has to wear high heels while walking in the parade. She has to wear a dress too and it looks like it is really cold there."
Having reconnected with many a school chum recently has given way to tons of school memories and I do recall 4 past historic events connected to school:
1. ) The day when President Reagan was shot. I was an 8th grader here in Houston at Hoffman Middle School, in 6th period when it was announced and we got to turn on the tv. I had softball practice that day and my "boyfriend" was John Garza, who was a 7th grader. (Oohh, the controversy!) While my parents were republicans, I don't remember much discussion about the incident at home, but then again, that does not mean that my parents were not concerned. Contrast to that moment in time, I have a distinct memory of very good example my parents set for me when we knelt as a family and prayed for our country and President Nixon on the night of his resignation.
2.) The day Anwar Sadat was assassinated. I am fairly sure this also was announced in my 6th period class in 8th grade at Hoffman...
Kevin~"Mommy, look at this guy! It's Rock Obama! He's the president!" (As he pulls out his Weekly Reader featuring President Obama from his backpack)
Derek~"Mom, after you're president, when you leave, are you rich?" "For you to be president, do you have to be rich or at least as rich as we are?" (LOL!!!!)
Kevin~ (After I ask him if he wants to grow up and be president) "Yes...(he giggles)... "Mommy, do you want Daddy to grow up and be president?"
3.) The day the Space Shuttle, Challenger, exploded after lift-off. I was a senior and watched that horrific moment in time with my Algebra teacher. I wanted to attend the funeral down at NASA but could not because my mother was concerned that President Reagan's attendance put his life was in danger.
Derek~"I watched part of the president's speech during lunch, then I got bored and went out to play"Derek~"I have seen the president up close Mom, remember when Tomball turned 100 and I was in the parade and he walked by me?" (Referring to Daddy Bush )
4.) A much less important, although still a tragic experience for me was the fateful day I merely followed my company's S.O.P. (standard operating procedure) and sought authorization above my own to approve an out-of-state check from Barbara Bush when Daddy Bush was the Vice President in 1986. (Technically, I had already graduated but it happened that year and scarred me for life)
Dylan~"What happened to Kennedy? Isn't he the one with the Portuguese Water Dogs?" (We have a PWD...and Cisco is a whole lot cuter than Uncle Teddy's PWDs....and Aunt Carolyn and her sister Cathy thinks this is SOOOOO funny that they sent me Uncle Teddy's PWD book!)Dylan~ "Oh...now it makes sense why there was an ambulance...(realizing it was there for Senator Kennedy), when I saw it earlier I thought someone was trying to hurt the President or he had frostbite because its so cold"
Regardless of the color of our president's skin, the day really is remarkable. But, because of the color of our president's skin is black, this is truly a day unlike any other before it. Considering I was born during the infamous year of 1968 this is an awesome leap in progress. Too bad I could not enjoy this "first" and be confident in my president's agenda at the same time. Ironically, had people voted for the conservative black candidate, Alan Keyes, with that goal of moving our country forward, we would have celebrated this unprecedented event years ago. Oh well. Time for me to build that bridge to somewhere.
Dylan~"Mom, do you think Sara Palin will run for president-elect in 2012? That would be kinda cool". You betcha! Sarah Palin rocks!
Dylan~"It would be cool if I were the president"Derek~"I went to school today with President Bush as my president and came home to President Obama"President Bush, it is good to have you back in the great state of Texas.
Derek~"Who is that guy?" (Pointing to President Reagan.....Oh Dear....and I gave birth to this child!)Dylan~"Mom, did #43 live in the White House when #41 was there?"The last 8 years have been very important in my life. There is a great deal of respect and gratitude I have for President George W. Bush. I have been a conservative for a very long time but 9/11 unearthed feelings and concerns in me that I did not know existed. I was so grateful for my president then, for the president and the man, he became after 9/11. I know there many disagree with him, even those in my own party, and to be honest, I know he is not perfect. But this I do know, I don't know enough about the issues that my conservative peers pick him apart over for me to agree with them. So I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt based on another thing I do know, I know I trusted his leadership in the highest office of our land during 8 landmark and sometimes, very frightening years. To quote one of my favorite people whom I don't know personally, Mr. Glenn Beck of Fox News, who today who bid President Bush farewell, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
Cade~"Who was the 6th President of the United States again?" (Referring to my cousin, whose name for the moment would not come to me b/c I was draft blogging! But shame on Cade too, b/c ever since we found out I am related to JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, Cade, just like me, loves to throw this little detail out in discussions...wonder where he gets that trait?) "I want to hang a picture of him for you, Mommy, so you can always look at him."As I am now watching the coverage of President dancing tonight, I am chuckling as I think I have to admit to another commonality with President Obama. He dances like the rest of us crackers.
Dylan~"Was that Jesse Jackson walking behind President Obama in the parade? (No, it was SS)Derek~"Was that Jesse Jackson praying after President Obama's speech" (No. But after listening to the prayer, it might as well have been.)Cade~"Is that Jesse Jackson?" (No, it was Evander Holyfield! Oye Vay!)Derek~"Benjamin Franklin, when was he a president?" And what about that one who was a mormon prophet? You know, Woodrow Wilson?" (I explained that I had no clue what faith President Wilson was but assured him he was confusing him with Wilford Woodruff who was our church's 4th president & prophet.)Cade~ While looking at a picture of President Clinton, "Is that Joe Biden?" And then about an hour later he said "Who was the president before President Bush?" My reply was "President Clinton" to which Cade then asked, "Is he married to Hillary Clinton?" (HMMM....)Derek~"I don't want President Obama to be a bad president, Mom, I want him to be a good president. Like, what if he is like a FDR and pulls the country out?" Wow. This causes me to notice and admit my nose is tingling, there is a catch in my throat and tears in my eyes. Even though my guy did not win the presidency on Nov. 7, 2008, my country is still the "home of the free and the brave" and I am privileged to call it mine. My awareness of being
allowed to participate in family prayer for President Obama and his family is heightened. He has and will continue to have our prayers.
And just like Derek, I also hope President Obama is a good president.
Cade~"This is going to be the worst four years of my life but at least we have a president". Rutroh. The brainwashing is working a little too well.
