Citizen of the Year

Unfortunately Noah didn't win Citizen of the Year. He was bummed but because no one knew of his aspirations he felt okay to share his disappointment with me. A private defeat is not as difficult as a public one. I sometimes wonder how politicians feel, putting so much time and effort into campaigning and to have every aspect of their lives scrutinized until voting time. Does it feel like a popularity contest only? How do you cope when it appears you lost because you aren't as well liked as the someone else running against you? Can you say you don't care what people think about you if you are a politician when so much you yourself is put out their for people to critique in the first place?

I am far to thin skinned to run for anything. Even in 2nd grade I would never have been brave enough to want to be voted Citizen of the Year. I am proud of Noah for being honest enough to admit he wanted something and was working toward it. And I'm even more amazed and proud that he doesn't fall apart when things don't work out his way. He accepts his loss with grace and to Grace. She is a sweet girl who we've known since the kids were 2 years old. Even Noah couldn't object to her winning. Well, not too much anyway. He thought she was also deserving, "for a girl".