We grew up in a town where everyone knew everyone else. Our boys soon learned that if they got up to mischief, word of it would beat them home. On the other side of the coin, you never worried because those same people looked out for each other.
You used to hear it said that ‘a man’s word was his bond.’ For many people, that way of thinking got pushed aside in the ’80s when it became ‘what’s in it for me?’ Davey was the epitome of a man whose word was his bond. With him, you knew if he shook hands on it, you could count on him. Davey was afraid that if we moved to one of those big cities, he would lose sight of his values.
Then the community drafted him to fill the local house seat in our state government. As I look back, I still can’t believe he was elected because we knew next to nothing about running a political campaign. Davey just did what Davey did best: he talked to people. He listened to what they had to say and learned what they wanted.
I think the qualities people wanted in their leaders then are much the same as they want today. People want someone who stands for something and won’t compromise their values just to make short-term political gains. Many of the people Davey talked with didn’t agree with everything he believed in, but he was open to them and would discuss their opposing views. What he showed them was he was willing to work with them, not dictate his world view.
Once Davey gained office, he quickly proved his ability to make things happen. During that time, there was a great divide between Chicago and the rest of the state. Davey helped find common ground and soon became one of the real power brokers in our state. He was so effective that he was approached twice about possibly running for higher office.
At the time, we had a long talk and weighed the pros and cons. For Davey, it came down to the fact that we had the boys and wanted them to grow up in our community. After a few years, Davey came to realize he could get more done from where he was than he could in higher office, so we put those plans on hold.
Before his death, my husband had come to two conclusions. The first was that he was ready to move up and had started an exploratory committee to run for governor. The other was that he’d found a kindred spirit in our second grandson, David.
Davey saw through the dorky kid and predicted a great future for him. He excelled at spotting talent. Over the years, he’d mentored several politicians and helped them along the way. Two recent examples were Governor Higgins and Senator Dixon. They both owed my husband a tremendous debt. Davey used to tell me to watch David, that he would surprise people. I admit my husband recognized something I didn’t. All I saw was a goofy kid whom I loved to death.
I just wish Davey had lived to see how right he was. I now think David can accomplish anything he puts his mind to. People are attracted to my grandson and go out of their way to help him. He has that ‘it’ factor that’s so elusive, and he has learned to reach out and ask for help. It’s an unstoppable combination.
The one matter giving me pause is that he’s managed to father four children from three different mothers before graduating from high school. And he’s taken on responsibility for a fifth as his as well, the last being the child of an unwed friend. On paper, and possibly in reality, the children may be a deal-breaker as far as any political aspirations go. I’ve talked to some people in the know, and they’ve told me he has probably ruined his chances … but.
The ‘but’ is that he is David. He has never shied away from his responsibilities. Only time will tell, but like Rob is fond of saying, ‘There are going to be problems. The measure of a person is how they handle those problems.’
Fortunately for David’s political career, his indiscretions happened while he’s so young. If he ever is to have a glimmer of hope of someday entering politics, it will all rest on how he handles himself moving forward. If he goes out and spreads his seed to four more women in college, game over. He’ll be labeled a womanizer.
If David can juggle four mothers and five kids and keep everyone happy, then he’ll have a shot. But I admit, it may just be me projecting my desire for someone in the family to follow in my late husband’s footsteps.
What I do admit to myself—and this is a secret I will take with me to my grave—is that David is my favorite. Regardless of whether he goes into politics, I have complete confidence he’ll be a success, and I want to be there to watch it. I have a feeling David isn’t done surprising us.
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Chapter 1 – La La Land Sunday November 27
