Change My World

My desk window faces the lot behind my office. Each morning as I sit down to write, I watch the stream of the building's occupants make their way to their cars, many with children straggling behind them, weighted down with backpacks and posterboards and lunch boxes. My favorite morning view though, is when the toddlers attending the day care center in our basement embark upon their early recess. I silently cheer them as they make their slow but steady way. Soon they too will be laden with notebooks and then laptops, and the responsibilities of growing up, and then of being grown. But for now, their job is just to BE, and they do so with all of the carefree joy of childhood.

I thought about this early day ritual when I viewed a new music video a friend sent me, called "Change My World." Anchored by an incandescent Ayanna Stokes and featuring the Agape Children's Choir in full exuberance, it is a call to action for those of us who already have the power of the ballot and the ability to participate in our democracy.

The song is infused with words of power -- words such as 'belief' and 'hope' and 'dream.' The young voices are raised, in a gently insistent chorus, to remind us that it is our obligation to participate in this election. It is hard, given the current economic climate, not to feel as if so much of this year's vote is about the here and now of our country's financial state. But when I watch the gathering of singers on my computer screen, and then peek out the window and see my charges-from-afar make their careful way to and from the park, I feel as if the stakes are even higher. I want to leave a world that is protected and prosperous and safe for my children, and all those tinier souls that my children were, once, not so long ago.

Although they do not know it yet, in their blissful sense of only being, they are the future -- theirs, and yours and mine also. The decisions and choices we make in two weeks, two months, two years, are ones that will irrevocably shape how they are able to live their lives. I, we all, wish for them peace and contentment and hope, most of all. It is our duty, our moral imperative, to respond to these songs, and to prayers perhaps not yet even thought nor uttered.

Hear the children in "Change My World." Listen to the even littler voices in nursery schools and day care centers. Take heed. Take action. Vote.

http://www.changemyworld08.com

 

Comments

[crazy4wood]

11:48 PM on 10/27/2008

I really appreciated the observations, that we often take for granted on our brief moment on earth and the call to action!

[Zuckerwar]

02:58 PM on 10/27/2008

Vicki, That was so well written --congratulations. Yes, we all get involved with this
"left - right" thing and forget about what is important for our country. Keep up the good work-

The GloveMan

[grabiner]

02:18 PM on 10/27/2008

Beautifully written; stark and profound.

[penpal]

10:23 PM on 10/26/2008

Years ago, many years ago, I remember sitting in the kitchen of our two bedroom apartment watching my mother bake cookies while listening to Walter Cronkite on the news. I knew the election meant more to her then the success of her freshly baked cookies-- especially because she couldn't afford the Toll House Chocolate Chips.

Vicki Kennedy's article is a warm and welcomed reminder. An awakening. That this time, right now, here in America and throughout the world that our planet is in dire peril--that lives and future is at stake.
Children speak truth and when they do we must listen. And when we vote we are electing the best change for them and their future. They are the choir for real change.

[elbzee]

04:50 PM on 10/26/2008

WOW!

[SaraKay]

04:37 PM on 10/26/2008

I met the writer when she was three years old. Vicki Strauss Kennedy has grown into the most thoughtful and articulate of women. This comes as no surprise, as I have known and know those who have loved and raised her. This period is the first year anniversary of her beloved father's death. He would be so proud!

[KJDK]

03:01 PM on 10/26/2008

Normally I don't care much for electioneering pieces--but I like this.

My wife and I don't have children, but I thought of the little one next door when I read it.

Thanks for posting this--it made me feel a little better about the world on a dark and dreary Sunday.

K

[Zyzzygowski]

02:15 PM on 10/26/2008

Absolutely, we should all vote. I like the non-partisan message delivered in the video.

[paulcapecod]

01:54 PM on 10/26/2008

In the midst of all the frenetic and impulsive manifestations of this campaign, Vicki Kennedy's post gave me an intelligent perspective on our future, our children's future and the future and health of the Earth. And our children are our future. Well done! Choose wisely, with a view to the generations ahead...

[michellefs622]

12:55 PM on 10/26/2008

wonderful!

[ThrowawayOversway]

03:34 PM on 10/25/2008

A wonderful reminder that our actions and our non-actions have consequences that last far beyond the next 8 years. A touching piece -- inspirational messages such as this one are much-needed in an election that has focused so much on our problems and differences. We need to remember what (or who) we're fighting for in the first place.

[Karenfromcanada]

09:05 PM on 10/25/2008

As a Canadian, this is truly the best thing I have heard for long while. Victoria, you have a beautiful read on what is important and I hope everyone reads this. I wish The Americans, who to me are our best friends, the BEST outcome in this election. As your future, is also our future. It seems just as important to us that the next president has the future in mind. Vote for change America!
Great Victoria!
Cheers from Canada...

[Enricoprods]

03:20 PM on 10/25/2008

Brava, Vicki! What an exquisitely beautiful and stirring call to action. Your timely words prove that a quiet, knowing voice can indeed be a mighty roar. For everyone's human nourishment, please do keep writing. It was also a real treat to hear the Agape Children's Choir -- America singing joyously once again.
Henri

[notabaddad]

02:43 PM on 10/25/2008

A beautiful video reminding us that this election is not ultimately about "Joe the Plumber," but rather his children. If only he realized.

And that lead singer is amazing. Next American Idol?

[grantscharbo]

02:06 AM on 10/25/2008

There's been a great deal of talk lately about the role of children in an election. Some videos were criticized, rightly so in my opinion, for using children in a partisan manner. This one, on the other hand, doesn't take sides. It doesn't preach an opinion. It simply asks that we, as adults and parents, fulfill the most basic of our responsibilities. As Vicki so eloquently reminds us, they know nothing of their future. However, we do. Spoken or not, they have given us a charge, and this song sums it up beautifully. But it's not simply that our vote WILL change their world, it MUST change their world.

[veritas2]

01:48 AM on 10/25/2008

WOW that is amazing!!!!!