November 6, 2006
Memory Monday - Grandma Loved JFK
In honor of Memory Monday, I thought it would be fitting to share my first memories of politics with Election Day being tomorrow.
When I was a young girl in elementary school, Ronald Reagan was president. I don’t remember much about those days, but I remember my father’s dislike of the President. You see, before my father became the great man that he is today, he was a Democrat.
It wasn’t until years later that he realized his faith in God and his family were the most important priorities in his life and he became a Republican. I would give you more detailed reasons for his political change, but I’m saving that for an interview to be published later.
My grandparents also didn’t care for President Reagan. They believed that Republicans only stood for Big Business, corporations and the rich. As farmers, they struggled to raise their children with morals and values and a strong work ethic.
My grandmother loved John F. Kennedy. She admired what he stood for: the working class, struggling to make it to the top. It was an added bonus in her mind that he was also Catholic. My grandmother was a Democrat and she voted for the man that she believed could truly help people. She grew up in the times of the Great Depression and to her, John F. Kennedy could make the world right again.
“If anyone can, Kennedy can!” She’d repeat the campaign message to me as a child. I remember feeling her pride. Her emotion was so genuine that it inspired me years later in a mock election at school between Michael Dukakis and George Bush. (For those of you wondering, I voted for Dukakis only because I was impressionable at 9 years old and I was “swayed” in his direction.)
When JFK died, my grandmother never voted again. She didn’t believe that anyone could be any better.
It stuns me to think that a person could be so convinced that one man could change the world. So convinced that after he left this earth not one presidential elect after JFK seemed worth her vote. Imagine all those elections! JFK died November 22, 1963. My grandmother died December 6, 2005. Eleven elections later, not a single vote cast.
Grandma, if you’re reading from Heaven, I hope that President Kennedy really is as wonderful as you say. I have many questions to ask him about politics. We’ll talk about that in my dreams. (Long story — Grandma and I meet up in my dreams sometimes and talk about life. No, really, I’m not crazy.)
And those of you reading now, please vote tomorrow! Your vote does count. Your voice is heard. No matter who the Politician du Jour is, no matter how strongly you feel about politics, your vote is important.
Eleven elections. It still surprises me. I haven’t missed one yet.
If you’d like to participate in Memory Monday, leave your link in the comments section. I’d love to share your memories with you!
Posted by Dana @ 6:51 am • NaBloPoMo, Uncategorized
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November 6th, 2006 at 8:12 am, Jenny Says:
Man…I’ve gotta find my voter’s registration card…
November 6th, 2006 at 10:48 am, ali Says:
found you through the randomizer, no time to play memories today, maybe next monday. love your space!
November 6th, 2006 at 10:58 am, Dana Says:
Jenny, I thought of voting early, but I have been so flippin’ busy I never got around to it. So, I’ll be standing in line tomorrow.
Ali, thank you for visiting me. It’s great to meet you!
November 6th, 2006 at 1:27 pm, Lisa B Says:
What a cool post… (Found you from Andrea’s blog.)
Love your blog!
November 6th, 2006 at 1:38 pm, Dana, The Dorky One Says:
Thanks Lisa! I had fun writing it. I’m so nostalgic.
November 6th, 2006 at 2:23 pm, jennster Says:
i want to hear more about your dreams! that is awesome that you see and talk to your grandma!!!!!! I LIVE FOR THAT STUFF!
November 6th, 2006 at 8:48 pm, Kate Says:
That’s great that you grew up in a politically active family. My parents have never ever voted. And I didn’t until I met my husband and he got me interested in politics. Now I would never think of not voting. I try to get my parents to vote, but for whatever reason they have no interest. I was never taught that I have a voice in this world however small it might be and that it was my right, my duty as an American citizen to utilize that right. Now I that I do know it, I treasure that right and would never think of not using it.
Great thing you are doing - you might get a few people to the polls with this talk Dana!
November 7th, 2006 at 10:34 am, tanilan Says:
Dana that was a great post! I wish I could share your enthusiasm for the election process, but I don’t like any of the gubenatorial (sp?) candidates or the congressional candidates, and that’s all parties and independents. I don’t like the way no one is talking about the issues here in the great state of Texas. I’m not a Republican or a Democrat…and independents…well they tend to be either radical or clueless. Maybe by the time school let’s out, I will feel a little better about it and go vote. Be well my friend. Much Love!
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:02 am, The Dana Files » Remembering JFK Says:
[...] the anniversary of the tragic death of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Last year, I wrote about my grandmother’s love for the first and only Catholic [...]