Once again we have an election coming up. And if I didn't know it, all I have to do is ride around town and see all of the political signs. Most of the time, I don't pay much attention to them and don't necessarily 'see' whose name is on the sign. However, I noticed one name lately and that is because I 'know' him on a personal basis...
When my girls were in school, I did quite a bit of volunteering in the school system. One year when my youngest was in elementary school, I was called upon by the 'room mothers' several times to supervise/chaperon events. I didn't really get along with these women--one in particular--because they were SO. DAMN. PEPPY! Every single time I saw them, they were almost giddy with happiness. They were cheerleaders about everything. I think I could have coughed and spit a snot ball the size of a Tootsie Roll in their faces and they would have found something positive to say to me. BUT, it would have come out as a bit condescending, because I wasn't quite on their social level. I think we all have known people like this in our lives.
Anyway, one of these room mothers really rubbed me the wrong way: She had the perfect life, the perfect child, the perfect home, the perfect wardrobe, the perfect side job, the perfect husband, the perfect perfect, etc, etc, etc. And she was just so happy all of the time--and everything was great all of the time. And I really couldn't stand being around her. I don't do peppy people. But one day, I realized there just might be a reason for all of her peppiness.
I don't quite remember what holiday or special day we were celebrating in the classroom. I had done whatever it was I had been told to do...probably passing out juice or cookies or something. I remember going to get some napkins from the other side of the room and happened to stumble upon the peppy mom and her husband standing, hidden from view, in the corner. While I didn't hear what was going on, I SAW what was going on: He was berating her in such a manner that I actually felt sorry for the woman. He had such a bullying look on his face and she was almost cowering over the 'attack.' Because they had placed themselves away from everyone else, I knew they wanted privacy so I moved on and pretended not to see anything.* I always imagined that her peppiness was a cover up for an, at least partially, unhappy life. This was something that I can never forget.
So, imagine my surprise when this same man shows up on campaign posters, asking for my vote on November 4. Just proves that we have no idea who any of these people are that we are asked to vote for. I wonder if I want to have a possible abuser represent me even at a local level. Quite a dilemma.
*I'm sure some people would say that I did a disservice to the woman by not intervening. I don't how to respond to this. I REALLY don't know how to respond to this.
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