Battle Ground 2012 (Guest Blogger)

Many of you have the great opportunity to read Jennifer's post about our family on a regular basis.  I must admit I like to read her posts and get her perspectives on our family happenings.  While I probably won't be as "warm and fuzzy" I wanted to take the opportunity to share my thoughts from Dad's point of view.

This past Tuesday capped off a crazy couple of months of campaign season.  I think we can agree that all the mailers, commercials, and mud-slinging was taken to a new level.  Approximately $6 BILLION was spent during this past campaign season.  Check out how much $6B could buy!  Our home was not immune as you can see what we received just a day before the election below.  (Clearly environmental sustainability was not atop the candidates' political agendas)

So how does this relate to our little Mateo?  Well, since he was born I've made sure that he makes the trip to the polling booth with Dad.  I plan to make this a regular occasion every voting season until the day he is able to take himself to the poll, if he so chooses, and casts his own vote. 

Take a look at the picture from our recent voting trip below.  If that doesn't scream "proud voter" to you I think you might need to assess your patriotism.   I gotta say he is quite a hit with the poll workers at Thomas Elementary School in Dublin.

I got to thinking about what Mateo might be like as a 18 year old in 2029.  Will he be an engaged teenager looking to exercise his voting right or simply an apathetic voter?  No matter which he is I look forward to hearing his perspectives on life, school, and all other things.  While he might not agree with Dad's political views (and no, I won't share mine with you) I hope he will talk about all the trips he made with me to the polls growing up.  Now "poll trips" might not be the most exciting things, but it's just one of the many memories I look forward to making with Mateo.  Detroit Tigers games should be much more fun!

So no matter if you/we agree how things turned out this past Tuesday one thing is for sure --- there are many more memories to be made with Mateo and the Gracia family.

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Jeremiah