I'm still the princess: Part 1-An American Tale-Mr. Daniel and Mr. Moses Go To Washington

"Do you know what Lincoln meant when he said our government is 'Of the people, for the people, by the people'?" I asked Daniel.
He shrugged and shook his head. Daniel shrugs a lot. Because he's the oldest and because he's eight and because he's Daniel. It doesn't mean he's not thinking.
"What's so radical about our country is that it has always been ruled by the people themselves. We control the government instead of the government controlling us."
I know it's more complicated than that. Majority, bipartisan politics, electoral college...there's all of that too. But, from beginning to end this last week's trip served as a hands-on classroom for both our kids and me and Dan on the meaning of democracy.
This past week, with the help of Melanoma Research Foundation, we were able to attend an advocacy training and Hill Day in which we represented the other melanoma warriors of our state in letting our legislators know what we'd like done to prevent and treat melanoma.
Our family spent the first few days in Virginia just outside of D.C. Even then, our lessons began.
At the air and space museum we marveled at the glory of our accomplishments together as a country. We saw a Wright brothers design

the SR71 black bird

and even the space shuttle, Discovery.

After spending five hours looking at planes I insisted on finding Alexandria, the setting of one of my new favorite shows, Mercy Street.

It turned out it wasn't "just around the corner" as I'd thought and we had quite an adventure with Siri insisting, at least from what it sounded like, that we make an "illegal u-turn as soon as possible". The boys are still laughing. Alexandria's known for several things, including it's role in the Civil War as well as a connection to George Washington, our first president. After a lovely stroll, dinner in a historical building and purchasing some delicious tea from my new favorite store, we began our hike back to the overpriced parking lot. On the way there we passed Washington's favorite place to eat, Gatsby's Tavern.

Then, we stumbled upon a replica of his town home, mostly because I had commented on what a cute place this was before noticing a green, historical landmark plaque.

The boys were completely freaked out by the ghostly bust of Washington in the upstairs window. But I marveled at the ordinariness of this reluctant leader that established our executive and judicial branches of checks and balances and who limited his power to two terms. He knew he was a person just like you or I desiring a government that wasn't about him but rather "Of the people, for the people, by the people'.

Friday the family portion of our trip continued with a visit to the National Zoo.

We met up with cousins and also old friends from my childhood and their daughters. They were those types of friends that you could go ages without seeing and pick up a conversation like it had never ended. Those ones who will be part of your life no matter how many times they move. At the zoo we saw gorillas, gigantic lizards and even pandas! But, the theme of our unique history followed us even there as we spent the day with those who had chosen of their own will to make enormous sacrifices for the country they loved and had personal stake in. I've written about strong women in the past but last Friday I spent time with two of the strongest women I've ever met, who've held down the home front while a piece of their heart was far away.