Happy Birthday, Little Sister

Today, my little sister turns 15 years old.  As her oldest brother, I feel deep pride and love for my sister as she turns a decade-and-a-half-old.  I remember when she was born - I was in kindergarten, and my brother was finishing preschool.  I had been wishing for a little sister for years.  On Halloween, 1992, my parents called my brother and I into their bedroom.  They told us that Mom was pregnant with our little sister.  I remember jumping up and down in celebration, and putting my head against my mother's stomach to listen and feel her kick.  I was the happiest kid on the planet.

Why, pray tell, am I posting a diary about my sister on a political site?  Because I am so proud of my sister for being excited about the political process in this critical election year.  As her very politically-active older brother (I've worked on two winning campaigns in New Jersey so far in my life, Corzine in 2005 and Menendez in 2006), I'm thrilled that she's becoming as excited about the democratic process as I am.  On Super Tuesday, she asked me to text her results of the primaries and caucuses as they came in while she was at Hebrew School.  She is an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama, as is my entire family.

I have on occasion remarked to my mother, who more than anyone raised me to be a politically active person, on the similarities between her and my sister.  But this election year, as many have remarked that Barack Obama in 2008 reminds them of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, I note that my sister is the same age now, in 2008, as my mother was then, in 1968.  My mother was first inspired politically by opposition to the Vietnam War and by Robert F. Kennedy.  My sister, 40 years later, has seen her political life begin with opposition to the Iraq War and by Barack Obama.  Robert F. Kennedy inspired an entire generation of Democrats.  Barack Obama is doing the same for their children.

So Happy Birthday, little sister.  Your big brother is so very proud of you.