My elder daughter is taking a field trip to the Texas Capitol today.
She’ll learn about the red granite they used to build the dome, she’ll have lunch on the rolling lawn, and she’ll be told that the women and men who work in that building are there to speak for her, for all of us.
She’ll be told that the people of Texas — like people all across the United States — come together in union to work toward a common good, to achieve liberty and justice for all.
They come together in schools and churches and neighborhoods and meeting halls and courtrooms and buildings like these,
where, she’ll be told, they make promises — to be truthful and faithful, to protect and defend, to do equal right to the rich and to the poor.
She’ll be told that there is system in place in our country designed to ensure that all that is fair and good will prevail.
This is not unlike what we say to children in picture books.
We assure them that there are people who love them and who are there for them no matter what.
We let them know that each of their voices — unique and small though they may be — are valued and heard.
We show them that their lives are full of hope and possibility.
We remind them that even if today was rough, there’s a new day tomorrow.
I tend to cry on election day — and the day after — no matter the outcome.
It’s both humbling and empowering to understand the weight of what we’re being asked to do.
Which is, in the end, nothing less than going to our polls and making good on all the things we’re telling our kids.
Thanks for your beautiful words, Liz.
Thanks for yours, too. I loved reading your voting post!
What a cool day for a field trip to the state capitol.
I know, I was THRILLED!
Somehow, it must have slipped my mind or I totally didn’t get it that you lived in Texas. Now, Liz Garton Scanlon is one of my favorite Texans along with LoneStarMa, Lyle Lovett and James Marshall.
I’m seriously here. Deep in the heart… 🙂
In 4th grade, students start learning about government. And we teach them the idealized version. They have years to learn that everything we taught them wasn’t quite the truth.
This year, more than ever, I voted on behalf of my students. I voted for their best future. Maybe in 8 years, when it is their turn to start voting, there won’t be quite so many things about our government that I am not proud that they have had to learn.
Mary Lee… You should cut and paste this comment and post it on your blog. In big fat bold letters. This is such a beautiful sentiment and, MERCY, the kids who have you for a teacher are lucky…
I wish I could. We’re trying to keep our politics off our blog, but that doesn’t stop me from sprinkling bits of mine in comments around the blogosphere!!