An Open Letter to the Parents of

Kevin, Nate, Sabrina, AnneMarie, Nora, and the other 20-and-30-somethings in the Jenkintown Obama for President Office,
Dear Parents,

We've never met and aren't likely to. But please read this letter from a stranger. It is the kind of letter I would love to receive.

For the first time in my life, I have played a small part in a political campaign. I went over to the Obama office in my area on the day it opened to see whether there might be something I could do. There was.

I spent my late afternoons for the next couple of weeks entering data from calls that had been made that day. It was a mindless job, and one that I was very good at. (I don't remember which young person it was who looked at this gray-haired grandmother and exclaimed, "You kick ass at data entry!") I could enter my data and watch and listen to what was going on around me, at the same time.

There was a lot going on. There was phone calling. There were other data entry people. There were lawn sign buyers. There a woman in a wheelchair helping to man the front desk. There was more phone calling. There were volunteers delivering dinners. There was someone printing out maps for canvassers. There were people assembling packets. There was someone shredding. There was Nora with a phone apparently permanently affixed to her ear. There was cheering. There was activity of every kind. And more phone calling.

And all of it was put together by your kids. Kids I would be so incredibly proud to call my own! They are warm, friendly, dedicated, polite, forgiving, patient, tenacious, sincere, hospitable, organized, tolerant, kind, and just downright lovely individuals.

There was a lot of talk these weeks about Hope and Change. Whatever happens tomorrow here in Pennsylvania, I have personally experienced both Hope and Change at the hands of Sabrina and AnneMarie and Nora and Kevin and Nate and the others whose names I never managed to learn. I left the office each day blinking back tears of hope, of joy, of inclusion. After these years of George Bush and the very real fear of John McCain, I had been afraid to believe there could be anything different. I now know that the spirit that you and I once felt when Bobby was running is alive and thriving in this current generation, in these amazing people that you have raised.

You should be so very proud.

Sincerely,

Nancy, Near Philadelphia
The Kick-Ass Data Enterer

Comments

Nancy,
Thank you for this post. Thank goodness there is a reason for young people to get involved in the political process again. You literally brought a tear to my eye. I, too, remember the days of hope and excitement when Bobby Kennedy was running. Whether or not Obama wins Pennsylvania, it is my sincere belief that he is the person to lead our country.
*karendianne. said…
Wow, Nancy.

Putting thought into form with real Love, *karendianne.
Julia said…
I am inspired and encouraged by our young folks and am proud of all of you for the work you are doing. I get chills when I think about what is happening around the country and look forward to having Obama as our next president...keep the hope alive.
Aunt Julia
kdmade said…
I love that they recognized you as a kick-ass data enterer.

They should see your quilts:)
QuiltingFitzy said…
You ROCK Nancy. Thanks for doing your part in this huge piece of history.
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
I was going to say the same thing that KDMADE did, they obviously don't know you!
debijeanm said…
My husband was just saying today that Obama is bringing back the thrill he felt during JFK's campaign, the joy of believing in America again, in its promise and optimism.

Our man did OK in PA. Clinton was expected to win and did, but her 22 point lead shrunk to 10.

Did you read Michael Moore's endorsement of Obama. Go check it out if you haven't. Moore is always good for a kick in the rear.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. You help keep the hope alive for all of us.