A Political Field Trip: Obama at Mack's Apples

Yesterday we had a unique opportunity to introduce the kids to the political process up close and personal:  Barack Obama was scheduled to speak near my parents' house. 

For the first time in my voting life, it would seem that all of the my family--Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike--are all enthusiastically pulling for the same candidate in the upcoming Presidential election.  So, when I brought up the idea of attending the rally to my parents, and they brought it up with my grandmother, everyone agreed it was a good idea.  Neither my parents nor the older two children had ever attended a political rally before, and the realization that we could have this first together made it even more special. It took some doing to get enough tickets, to figure out what and how to pack, and to organize the outing all together with three small children, but it was worth it.

Together we hiked from my parents' house to the rally site, where we joined the incredibly long line of ticket holders that wound down and back the street in front of Mack's:

Security was tight, with metal detectors and swarms of Secret Service, but much more thorough and efficient than airport security, so the line moved pretty steadily.  Once inside we staked out a spot along the rope line and settled in for the rest of the wait.  The clouds were hanging low and threatening rain, but the crowd was undeterred. The event was sold out and there were crowds of people without tickets waiting at the gate for the chance to hear him speak.

The atmosphere was so positive and friendly and excited--it was a great introduction for young and old alike--and the tone was unfailingly up-beat.  There were lots of families gamely braving the wet, too, even without seats or diaper bags.

When Barack was finally announced the crowd cheered even louder as the rain began to fall. 

Unfortunately, by that point Lexi and Spencer had had enough of standing around and listening to adults "speechifying" and were ready to go.  They had their buttons, they'd seen Barack, and now they were done.  My mother selflessly offered to take them home and feed them lunch (long overdue at this point) while Dad, Gram, Ellie and I stayed to hear him speak.

He did not disappoint.  He did not cut short his speech or stand under an umbrella.  He stood in the weather with us and connected.  Before long, the rain stopped and Ellie got down to romp in the damp sand with the other little ones while we listened.  In spite of the weather and the long time spent on our feet, it was a great event!

He arrives!

Comments

[Keely]

What a great story! How inspiring that Obama is bringing generations together and engaging people of all ages in the political process.

And your family is stunningly beautiful.

[Leah]

Thanks! It was great to be there and feel as though we were taking part in history. I know that the children can't appreciate it fully now, although they enjoyed the day, but hopefully one day they will be proud to tell their children that they were there. And more than that, hopefully they will realize early on how important it is to be involved in the democratic process, regardless of their affiliation!