Showing posts with label citizen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label citizen. Show all posts

Sunday

Flash Fiction: The Sunday Night Call

Sunday Night November 4,  9:00pm

BEEEP
"Hey sweetie, it’s your Sunday night call. Well, um I missed you again—I’ve missed you the last few Sundays, I hope you're doing well. I sure love talking to my sweet daughter."

"I remember that you started that new job—I hope you’re liking it. Your last boss sounded like a real jerk. I still can’t understand it; giving you a hard time for going to a weekly dentist appointment. Appearance is everything when you're a receptionist. He should be grateful that you wanted to look your best. He didn’t deserve to have a hard working girl like you in his office. It’s good you quit. Next time though, you need to have a job in hand before giving notice—I thought I taught you and your sisters that."

"Anyway, I'm glad I could help you out. I saw that you had cashed the check I sent. I hope I sent enough— rent, car payment, groceries, other unforeseeables. Yeah, I think I sent enough. If you need more cash before that first paycheck though, just let me know; I’d hate to see you put things on a credit card. I didn’t get my first credit card until I was 35, I still can't understand how you got a credit card in college. You needed to graduate with a degree, not debt. Ugh! Well, if you’re short – it’s best to call me at the office. Your mom thinks I help you girls out too much, so call me there and we will keep her out of it. "

"Hey, if you get a chance this week, call Grandpa. He has not been doing well. It would have been your grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary last Thursday. He just can’t believe she’s gone. Your grandmother always talked about what a grand party she wanted to plan for their 50th— at the country club with all her sisters from Kansas and all the grandkids. She wanted an ice sculpture, punch table and a steak dinner.  She really looked forward to throwing that party.  Hard to think she’s been gone four months now. She was a neat lady. Her sisters and you kids came to her funeral instead of her party— sad.  Anyhow, give Grandpa a call if you can. He says he can always hear your smile over the phone when you call. It would really make him happy to hear your pretty voice."

"Alright sweetie, I will hang up now. I hope you answer next Sunday. And I am serious, if you need a little cash before that first check, just call me at the office. Oh, also Election Day is Tuesday, I hope you vote. Remember voting is the only way we can have our say in this country. Maybe your new boss will give you some time off to go vote—just an idea. "

"Okay, I love you, talk to you next week, keep up your hard work.  Bye."

Sunday Night November 11,  9:00pm

BEEP
"Hey Sweetie, it’s your Sunday night call. Well, um I guess I missed you again…"

Vote with your Kids

Since the day my kids were born, I've brought them with me to the ballot box. When they were infants, I handed them off to my husband and we would take turns in the voting booth. Then they were toddlers and jumped with joy when handed the "I voted" stickers to plaster to their chests and car seats. Now my kids are in middle school and have begun asking numerous questions as campaign season rolls into high gear. They ask about the political ads they see on TV, they ask about the yard signs we pass in our neighborhood, and they ask about who I think should be president and why. 

Whether my political leanings are correct is not the point. I'm raising kids who I want to be interested and engaged citizens. I take them to the polls with me because I want them to grow up knowing that they can have a say in what is happening in our city and our country. The right to vote should not be taken lightly.

Today, to my delight the JCP Sunday insert had a beautiful image of a mom with her young son in a voting booth. While all the clothes I may see in the ad are "on sale now", I still found it encouraging that this retailer was glamorizing voting. It is chic and should always be. I also like that JCP was using the weekend before the election about the election and not the holiday season. 

Many friends and acquaintances now vote by mail, while voting by mail may be preferable someday, as long as I have children in tow I will take them with me to the polls. 

Please vote. And if you have kids, make it a field trip.