Dear Norah

Dear Norah,

We try to keep things pretty light hearted around here at the 'ole GVZ blogspot, but today is a special day and I think it deserves some special reflection. Today is election day, and it isn't an overstatement to say that it is perhaps the most important election day in recent history. Dad and I took you to the polls with us this morning so that you could see democracy in action. You looked around for a while and then fell asleep while we waited in line. That's okay, because I will tell you all about it when you wake up in about an hour.

I vote with gusto in every election (it's our civic duty, N!), but today I found myself particularly emotional about it. I think that is because for the first time, voting for the 'future' has become voting for YOUR future. As you are the person I love most in this world, that is a big responsibility and one that I don't take lightly.

I voted the way that I did because I want so many things for you. By the time you are old enough to vote, I want it to be commonplace for women and minorities to be major players in the presidential election. I want you to live in a country where access to health care is a right and not a privilege. I want this unjust and immoral war to be ended in a safe and reasonable way. I want you to have clean air and clean water and renewable sources of energy. I want your education to be a priority. I want you to live in a time of economic stability, where families can pay their bills and stay in their homes. I want you to live in a country that protects its most vulnerable citizens. I want you to enjoy freedom of speech and expression without fear of retribution. I want you to always have the freedom to control your own body. When you grow up I want you to be able to marry the person you love, regardless of their gender.

I look forward to many, many years of our family being involved in our community and in our world. We only get what we give, sweet Norah.

I love you and I am glad I got to share this day with you.

Love,
Mom

(PS--I ordered you a 'My Mama is for Obama' onesie to wear today and even paid extra for priority shipping. But, alas, something happened to it in transit and it didn't make it on time. I may be a bleeding heart liberal, but capitalism has its perks and I raised a big enough stink to get us a $50 gift certificate to the retailer that messed our order up. When (and if) it ever gets here it will go into your memory chest all the same).