Today's history, tomorrow

"Mommy, are you sleeping?", my young son asks in that "loud whisper" every mother is all too familiar with all too early in the morning. No, son, I think. I'm just lying here with my eyes closed wishing I had more control over what you will read in history books (or websites? I don't know what the future of education will look like) about this last election when you're no longer home with me all day, but in middle school, in the not so distant future. You're still young, so I try not to share the mess that is current events with you.  It's reason for which your favorite animated and nature programs dominate our television viewing, not news stations, in spite of my twenty-plus-year crush on Anderson Cooper. His significant other is one lucky guy.    Anyway, I imagine you'll probably react with something along the lines of "Wow. I can't believe this happened after I was born! We have come so far in such a short amount of time!" You'll come home and share your discovery with me.  I'll listen as I prep a meal or fold some laundry (you know, the usual), all the while fascinated by your simple yet painfully accurate observations when you share that "We didn't want any more  immigrants here! Not even refugees! Isn't that crazy?",  "We thought we needed a wall between us and Mexico! Don't my cousins live in Mexico? How would they come visit?"
I'll ask you to sit with me, as I fight back tears, induced by the memories of a country torn.   I'll then explain that we HAVEN'T come so far.  No, sir; we were ALREADY  there.  We simply needed to make our voices heard, hold our government representatives accountable, (you'll make me proud as you tell me you know exactly whom to contact-and how-if you have thoughts to share on policy or issues)  and become emboldened enough to stop every "crazy", as you put it, attempt to alter everything that makes this country great. We had the true American spirit living within us and we did not allow anyone or anything to trample it.  We used the power we've always had more than we ever had before. We visibly became what we'd always been more discretely-true allies for one another. And, you know what?  We succeeded.  We continue to enjoy all that we love and remember feeling very divided as just a hiccup in time.
On second thought, maybe I don't need more control over what you'll read.
I'm not sleeping now, nor was I sleeping then. Not when I've got your bright future to defend.
I love you. Be kind.