TheBanyanTree: election surprises

[Sachet]

My teens surprised me last night. They were all about watching the 
election results come in! Begged me to stay up because they said it was 
so exciting and way better than watching a close sports game. Zach even 
pulled out the "This is history in the making, Mom!". They weren't 
kidding me either. They avidly watched and continually commented as the 
evening wore on into the wee hours. (I called a halt at 2am.)

I tried to join in. I watched for awhile listening to all the political 
commentary and numbers roll in. But it's so boring to me. An occasional 
update was fine.

They did a lot of research about the candidates and can tell you what 
they feel are good and bad points about both the President and 
vice-presidential candidates. Zach was frustrated because he prefers the 
VP of one party and likes the Presidential candidate of the other party. 
He thinks they would make a fine team. (What a cool thought! Too bad we 
can't require that the President and VP be of different parties as a 
ballast for each other.)

The kids are at that age where they will (maybe) listen to Jim or my 
opinion, but take great pride in being their own independent selves. 
Which is as it should be. No brow-beating allowed if we disagree. No 
emotional angst if their candidate won or lost, because they see that 
the President is only one part of our massive political system. He just 
gets the most attention. You have to be a very strong person to be our 
President I think, no matter your party. Geesh, so much hatred directed 
at whomever is President. I don't get that. I honestly don't.

I think it's great that so many people came out to vote. I think it's 
incredible that this race is so close that we still don't know 
positively who won. It shows a strong America in my opinion. Wouldn't it 
be rather unfortunate if there were no challenge, if one party took the 
majority of the votes in such an overwhelming manner time and time 
again? That would be kind of scary to me. Our nation would lose 
something vital. I think the close elections are the best. They help 
people realize that their vote actually DOES make a difference. It keeps 
aware of why we vote. It's a celebration of who we are as Americans.

...Sachet