What a great time to be alive!

I’m grateful to be alive at this time. To witness and experience the time of the recent political campaigning, debating, caucusing, discussing and voting in the process of selecting leaders of our government has been a meaningful and significant privilege.

In the period of transition between administrations, the world is witnessing the workings of an effective and benevolent democracy. The peoples of all nations have seen the benefits of a government that can openly and audaciously change leadership under the directions of the voting citizens without interference of armed force, riots or public disturbance. I am not aware of any citizen in any state of the United States who has suffered or died in the past two years because of their participation in the process. When I read and hear of vast numbers of people who are dying day-by-day because of political conflict, I am reminded of how blessed we are.

In my earlier days of study and preparation to be a teacher, I remember the discussion of instructors about something called a “teachable moment.” This term was used to describe that certain special time that could occur either through careful planning or “by accident.” These vital moments presented to the educator an opportunity to lead an individual or group in a precious and meaningful learning experience. They were moments to be treasured and taken advantage of very carefully.

As a long-retired educator, I envy the educators and students who are in classrooms and schools in these days of many “teachable moments.” Those moments are stretching into exciting days and weeks. We are in a time of rich, vital and personal and national history. Technology has provided the world the opportunity to witness moment by moment the details of the democratic process which our nation has endeavored to establish over the past few centuries.

As I look back over my almost 82 years, I can think of few events that have presented a more significant learning opportunity for the world than these days. Though no government is perfect (since they are all the result of human endeavor), all nations have witnessed a country that is continuing to grow and develop toward a stage where all individual rights and privileges are prized and protected. We are continuing to improve and perfect the workings and policies of a democracy in action. What a demonstration of effective democratic government and its superiority over anything else around!

The recent presidential election captured the attention of our nation as few other undertakings have. Modern technology gave almost the entire world the opportunity to keep track of the campaign activities. The young people of both our country and other nations seemed particularly interested and drawn into the campaign and all of the discussion surrounding it. This has been a remarkable time of learning about government and history.

I have been privileged to witness our country at work during the Great Depression, World War II, and all the challenging events since 1950. I feel particularly thankful to be witnessing these days of great significance, and I hope they will be rich “learning moments” for all of us, especially for the educators and students in the classrooms of our nation. It’s an opportunity too rich and important to be missed.

> Hugh Kinard, a retired teacher, lives in Smyrna.