Last Friday was the deadline to file paperwork to run for city council. Because we have a lot at stake in our neighborhood and a few people who were running are outspoken in their opposition to the needs of our neighborhood, several discussions took place to try to find people to run who would work to protect our needs. It looked desperate for awhile and so I offered to run and went to the city offices to file my paperwork.
As I waited in the car for a friend who was meeting me there, I got sick to my stomach. It felt important--someone needed to do it--but I didn't want it to be me. I called my husband and told him I didn't want to do it. I'm finally writing, something I've wanted to do for years and years and I worried that this would derail my writing. I was also worried about the finances. We have a missionary out and I was concerned about spending money on a campaign that could end up amounting to a failure. And I worried about losing valuable time with my kids if I ended up being spread too thin.
My husband gave me a pep talk, told me how great I'd be and even offered to make omelettes on days that were extra busy. I still felt sick, but I went in and filled out the paperwork.
The next day, I learned that twelve people were running for the three seats. TWELVE!!! Surely of those twelve, there were some I could support who would feel the way I did about important issues.
So Saturday I spent hours contacting candidates and talking about the issues. I discovered there were others who feel like me.
So I did what my mom did. I single-handedly ended someone's political future.
Mine.
How do I feel? Sad that I disappointed some people, but immensely relieved. I'm not sure I'd make a good politician anyway. I just proved I waffle too much.
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