Knot Pining: Through the eyes of a 7-year-old

The 7-year-old was obviously confused Wednesday morning. Her school voted for Harris, why didn't the country?

"I want a woman president."

She pondered her school chum who had voted for the other guy. "But we are still friends."

She asked rhetorically if the votes at her school had counted in the wider world. "I know, you have to be 18."

I wondered if what she was spouting post-election was precocious or just how yet another person in the world can get so inundated with politics in the current state of things. She's likely heard much more than I think she has.

I can relate. When I was her age, Watergate was in full bloom, and eventually Nixon's resignation. I have a slight recollection of watching hearings from Capitol Hill. By age 9, I was full-on politicking in my fourth-grade class. For reasons that remain unclear to me now, I was a big Ford fan. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was an attempt at keeping things stable after so much upheaval. I remember vociferously telling classmates that Jimmy Carter would start a war. That was my line in the sand, apropos of nothing.

Thus began a long run of picking presidential also-rans.

The kid said she wants to vote next year. No dice. She'll have to wait four years.

As for the current president-elect, she asked if he was in charge of everything now. "Can he tell us what to do?"

Not at all, kid. Some decisions he makes, as with any president, may have an impact on our lives, so we'll have to pay attention.

I try to keep my deep concerns about her future on our planet in check. Throughout her childhood, this father has had nattering thoughts about what to tell her about what the world might look like when she gets to be my age. Her parents won't be around to hold her hand.

That's some normal parenting stuff.

We can't have qualms about introducing a child to this age of uncertainty. She was adopted. Our job is to shepherd her through the best we can. It's what her biological mother expects of us. It's our biggest job.

There is a melange of emotions this post-election that will linger for a long time. I'll try to give the kid some perspective through history. Times of promise and hope, sure. But also times of hiding under my desk or being shuffled into a fallout shelter. Times of firehoses and dogs, lynchings, and concentration camps. A nation divided and at war, a world at war.

I'm glad she brought me to a realization last week that she is informed and seeks answers to life's big questions. We'll muddle through.

Mike is a reporter and page designer for the Pine Knot News. Contact him by email at [email protected].