My 5-Year-Old’s Unwavering Support for Hillary Clinton: A Beacon of Hope

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I had a lightbulb moment to capture a heartwarming image when my 5-year-old daughter, Lily, excitedly declared she wanted to be Hillary Clinton for Halloween. My partner, Alex, and I decided to join in the fun by donning Secret Service outfits as we accompanied her on her trick-or-treating adventure. I even made the effort to shave—quite the feat for a dad!

Initially, I didn’t plan to share this photo with the world. Even though I’ve built a niche career sharing amusing family photos online, this particular moment was meant to be private, a charming keepsake of a significant milestone in Lily’s life.

Lily’s fascination with Hillary started months earlier after her pre-K class learned that no woman had ever held the office of President in our country. To my surprise, her whole class—both girls and boys—was utterly baffled by this fact; it had never crossed their minds that such a thing was possible. That day, Lily came home with a determined look: “Daddy, who are you voting for?”

With the primaries just weeks away, I was caught off guard. Alex and I had never discussed the election with her, but here she was, eagerly waiting for my answer. “Um, who do you think I should vote for?” I asked.

“Hillary! Please, please vote for Hillary!” she urged.

“Why her?” I inquired, genuinely curious.

“Because she’ll be the first Girl President! You have to vote for her!”

“Alright, we’ll see,” I replied, giving my standard dad line.

In that moment, I envied Lily’s innocent perspective. It was clear she hadn’t been influenced by social media buzz or the endless debates around Hillary’s past decisions—her opinions were refreshingly simple. She didn’t know or care about the controversies surrounding the Iraq War vote, Wall Street speeches, or email scandals.

Kids often lament about fairness, usually over trivial things like dessert for dinner or wearing shoes they dislike. I sometimes wonder how Lily will react when she faces the harsh realities of life. Will she grow cynical, using the world’s unfairness as an excuse for her setbacks? Or will she recognize her own privilege and strive to help others? Who knows? But for now, it’s a joy to see the world through her sheltered eyes, where kindness prevails.

As proud as I was of her enthusiasm, I was equally impressed by her proactive response to a tough lesson in American history. Instead of wallowing in disappointment, she decided to take action. Months have passed since that revelation, yet her excitement hasn’t dimmed. She’s asked every grandparent whom they’re voting for, pushing for support for the first “Girl President.” At a work dinner, she even cornered a guest in the kitchen to discuss the election. Despite my warning about the crowd’s likely reception, her determination was unwavering.

I consider myself politically independent, but I live in a state where the Democratic primary often decides everything. So it was a few weeks later when Lily noticed my “I Voted” sticker and insisted on knowing whom I voted for.

“Who do you think I voted for?” I teased.

“Hillary?” she guessed excitedly. “Did you vote for her?”

I nodded, and she enveloped me in a hug. “Thank you, Daddy! I just know she’s going to win!”

It was in that moment that I realized I not only felt proud of my vote, but that Lily’s simplistic view was a refreshing reminder to maintain hope amidst the chaos of the election. Her boundless enthusiasm has been a bright spot during a time that feels overwhelmingly exhausting.

I crafted the image we had taken that Halloween, intending to keep it private. However, when I shared it with friends, the responses were heartwarming. People seemed to appreciate a glimpse of positivity amid the deluge of negativity we’re often fed. It’s easy to feel drained by the constant barrage of critical articles and harsh memes on social media. If our little family moment could bring just a bit of joy to others, then why not share it?

Yet, I hesitated due to fear. In today’s hyper-politicized climate, mean-spirited trolls lurk, ready to attack anything that doesn’t align with their views. I’ve seen countless instances of online harassment, even targeting children. The thought of someone hurling insults at my family for celebrating Lily’s idealism was daunting.

So, I asked Lily what she thought. I explained that sharing the image could bring joy to many, but it might also invite negativity.

“Why would they do that?” she asked, puzzled. “That’s just mean.”

“Sadly, people can be really unkind when they disagree,” I replied.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Who cares? I want people to see it.”

I adore that kid. She inspires me daily and gives me hope. This election season, I’m right there with her.

In summary, Lily’s unwavering support for Hillary Clinton serves as a hopeful reminder of the idealism and innocence that can exist in our world, even amidst political turmoil. Her perspective encourages us all to maintain a positive outlook and embrace kindness.