The wisdom of one generation, reached by the hope of another.
A project to pair one young, first-time voter with one senior citizen for a ride to the polls in November. A gift to both people and to the country in return.
On this date, 19 years ago, I got sober. I could have raised a child to adulthood in that time, and if you ask my closest friends they would tell you that I was that child. All the life's lessons I would have passed onto that child (now adult) would have hopefully prepared this young adult for her/his first chance to vote for the POTUS in November. I thought about that this morning.
Afterward, while eating my Post Toasties, I read a news clip that Sen. Obama's still looking to make inroads with senior citizens. It occurred to me that if we paired one young, first-time voter with one senior citizen for a ride share to the polls in November, then we could vastly improve the support there.
Upon reflection, I thought how beautiful this could be, how good for our country's democratic principles and how truly, deeply rewarding it will be for each person involved. Our society, for its wonders and achievements is sadly lacking in the amount of time that our young spend with seniors. They are so open to suggestion and willing to create the world anew. Conversely, our seniors have so much to offer and such a great desire to pass it on - with too few (if any) opportunities to do so.
The wisdom of one generation, reached by the hope of another.
I have a real daughter now, and not yet 8 years old. In what I shall leave to her, I do not want to simply "get Barack Obama elected", I want to help make a real, lasting offering to our democracy. I think that this project is a good place to start. After November and after January, for any real change to occur, we citizens of this great country, must alter our way of living together. The challenges that we will face will require answers that people may have the wisdom or experience to solve.
There is an old saying about leaving the world a better place than one found it. We are living with people that have already left the world a better place - and almost no one is talking to them. There are literally millions of minds possessed with brilliance, inspiration, talent and heart - living in the isolation of their own homes or senior homes. What a great gift for each pair involved, to share hope and wisdom with each other and together, shape the next step in our great country's history.
So...what I am asking: Does anyone want to help me do this?
My initial ideas are to create a basic communication structure, inside the .my.barackobama blogs. Create a way to track, invite and publicly support this. Get the word out and go crazy with this simple, repeated task. We support each other via blog, email and phone.
Starting with myself, I am committing to bringing one senior to the polls on Election Day.
Arvan Reese, Chicago, IL