Today I went to the voting polls with my husband. Normally we discuss our choices, go to the polls, pray, vote, and return to our normal lives. Today we had the honor of taking our daughter with us for her first official participation in her civic duty. Today I watched my very intense and meaningful daughter make her own decision and vote for the candidates and ballot measures that she believed would help our state and county. Today, we passed on an important part of being a US citizen. And, today, like when I first voted with my parents, we took our daughter out to celebrate.
When I went out with my parents we had a meal at a local diner that no longer exists. We ate a full meal. I don’t remember what we ate, but I remember being with them. I didn’t even realize the importance of my actions, but they knew and encouraged me. Even though my parents sometimes disagreed in their politics they both were proud of taking me with them and continuing the family tradition of speaking our own minds through our votes. Just like sharing the gospel, voting was seen as a family tradition.
It was mid-morning when we voted today. I offered my daughter anything she wanted that would be memorable and celebratory. This is momentous in her becoming an adult. This is powerful for our state. This is investing in our future. It is worth celebrating. I was thinking ice cream.
What did she choose? Not what I expected. She clearly stated she wanted to go for a walk with us on the boardwalk along the river. What? No ice cream? No burgers? No onion rings? No nachos? Nope. A walk in nature where we could stop and enjoy what God has provided is what speaks to her soul. To feel the breeze on her face, identify rocks on the small beaches, examine the flowers, trees, and bushes, and talk about her future is a celebration to her. It points to her value as a human being and as a good steward of what God has provided.
And it should. We get to spend time in blue and green spaces (see my past blog) and be restored. The temperature was perfect in the mid-70s. Our pace was leisurely so we could take more in. Our exploration was mutually satisfying as we looked for things to point out to make each other smile. She is privileged enough to get to go to her college of choice in a couple of weeks. Today was an act of equipping her for her future without us. We celebrated a new accomplishment, an old family tradition, and realized civic duty with the bittersweet awareness of launching her into her future where nothing will be the same. We know we may not agree all the time, but we know she will have another platform to stand up for her beliefs. And she will do so responsibly.
At the end of the day she just has one voice, like each one of us, together we were three. We made a difference today. If not specifically for this election, then maybe in the next. Today, we created a lifelong memory that has far reaching effects into the future of our country and family. Today we validated our daughter and her thoughts, interests, and rights. We communed with God and each other. And, today, we picked up some French Fries after our walk.
If you’re wondering, we’re all still wearing our stickers with the cool American flag on them that say, “I voted”.
How do you demonstrate and teach your children your religious and/or family traditions?