Fill in the Oval Completely...

I really want to tell you all about my trip to New York last week, but I'll need to get back to that soon.

Today Trinity and I had a great conversation about national politics. It is a topic that I'm sure she overhears her parents talking about in car rides and at the dinner table more than she cares about or understands. Up until now, she has told me that she would like "the girl" to win the presidency. There's now a story circulating that the dad of one of her classmates was fired by "the girl" for "no good reason", so she wouldn't vote for her because "she's mean" (I'm not sure what that's about, but isn't that how politics goes?). I think there are a few others in the country who might agree with her assessment.

She asked me to find her the names of all of the Presidents from history, so we started with George and ended with our current George. We picked out the ones who were related, and we talked about some of the more prominent stories, including the assassinations of JFK, MLK, & Robert Kennedy. After we finished the list, she asked with a quizzical look, "Are they all men?" Why, yes, my dear, they are. We talked about how important this election is because there is a woman candidate and a black candidate (we also talked about the great war hero that McCain is).

As a woman in a male-dominated industry (religion), I empathize with the trailblazing battle in which Hillary has placed herself. Whether or not I agree with her, will vote for her, or if I think she is a mean girl, she has helped changed this country. There have been many, many excellent female leaders on the world stage throughout history, from Deborah and Esther to Margaret Thatcher and Golda Meir. Many countries, even those which are more conservative and traditional, such as India, Ukraine, & The Phillipines, have great women leaders in place. I am so pleased that my daughter will live in a time when she can truly consider herself a viable option for a leadership position - whether in business or for her country.

Tuesday is election day in Oregon. Get your ballot, spend a few minutes here, and get it turned in here. These things really matter. We have been blessed beyond measure to be in a country where each individual - man and woman, white, black, or other - has a voice. In honor of all those people around the world who are kept silent by their government, vote today.

Update: I took Trinity with me to turn in our ballots at 7:50 p.m. (yes, I turn in my taxes in April, too). The library was abuzz with happy people and high energy.

Obama must have read my post. From tonight's speech: "Sen. Clinton has shattered myths and broken barriers and changed the America in which my daughters and yours will come of age." That's what I said.