May 2nd was the first time P was exposed to the democratic process of this country. ( well outside the womb). I was rushed to get her ready. I was happy yet worried that there would be a long line up due to the pervious weekend of early voting. A record 2 million people cast their ballots! A bit paranoid I admit,but I didn't want to wait in line for too long.
As I was getting on her socks and wrestling to put on her small multi-colored polka dot hoody, she was "Gah, Gah, bluuuuaeeeahh, oh, baaah ahhhhing". It made me smile. I thought every single leader, community activist or innovator both male and female had more than likely made those sounds somewhere along the line of their baby-hood. It was one of those" who will my child be in this world" moments that every parent confronts. Selfishly, it would be wonderful if my daughter became a leader or social advocate. Challenging the status quo, and pushing the boundaries of women in leadership positions is something I do want to impart on her that is very possible for her to achieve.
As I contemplated this, I was just pulling over the last velcro strap on P's shoe. "Right" I thought " first things first. I have to teach P how to put on her own shoes to begin with. Leading the country to greatness will come in its own time". I am guilty of wanting too much too soon. Patience is something I am learning from P and something C and myself will in turn impart to her. The teacher is teaching the student, while the student is mentoring the teacher. AH!
P, with her hat on head and smile in full gear, were both out the door and on our way down to vote.
(Voters Rights in Canada here: http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqvoting&lang=e#a6)
As I came off the elevator, (I live in an apt-building, and the voting was in the lobby:) lucky me) I noticed right away that there wasn't the huge rush i was worried about. "Phew" I thought as I approached the registration desk. In answer to my approach, an almost apoplectic women looked at me and with her left index finger pointed at another table and said"OVER THERE!" I instinctive took a step back, looked at P. Whether by reaction or coincidence she had her classic steely-blue- eyed thousand yard stare going on. She was unimpressed. Needless to say after responding with sarcastic kindness I went to the right area and was welcomed by two very friendly Election's Canada representatives.
Both were young, in their early 20's, one women and one man. I noticed the young women was reading "The Book of Negroes" By Lawrence Hill (http://www.lawrencehill.com/the_book_of_negroes.html). C had finished the book about 6 months before and still brings up the potency of his writing and the power of the story. I said to her that my wife had read it and loved it. Curiously I think she thought I was trying to work my mojo on her. For she rather defensively gave a very pert"Yes I know", then with a blushed face she began looking for information again. Then as if on cue, the young man sporting his hipster beard (not even cool to use that term anymore I know) interjected with "Oh I've read it. It very good, Lawrence Hill is brilliant". It was said with the assurance of a dude trying to sound well read for purposes of looking intellectually attractive to women he was working with. F*&^$^N Punk! As for my intentions: I love P, but I wanted to have an adult conversation. Holding my 8 month old daughter, having bed head and spit on my shirt is not exactly couth to begin with, let alone to pick someone up at a voting booth. Eventually I received my ballot and I proceeded to three sided cardboard shield that "ensures" my privacy. While drawing the X, I held P in my right arm and tried in vain to hold down the small square sheet of voting paper with my left hand and write at the same time. Funny how the small mundane things can be the hardest things you encounter some days.
On my way back to drop off the ballot in the box, the young women who gave the pert response, seemed to notice P. "She is soooo Cute!!!!" she retorted. P was back to her normal smiling, inquisitively staring self and looked right at her. I smiled in response and proceeded back upstairs. P I realized not only had her first voting experience, but saw her first misunderstood-not flirting-but was taken as flirting moment. Random but real.
IN PEACE
SHR
