Once upon a time in the wide-open fields of America’s heartland, a political debate broke out between generations. Our story begins with a young lady, bursting with Gen Z energy, who decided it was time to introduce her Trump-supporting grandfather to her more progressive world. With her smartphone in hand, she launched into a video application for a Democratic scholarship, hoping her grandfather, Larry, a staunch supporter of conservative values, would play along.
The young lady wanted to show the scholarship judges that her family embraced the “greatness” of the Democratic Party, or at least she hoped they could make it look that way on camera. A slight mischievous plan formed in her mind. She introduced her grandfather, Larry, hoping to sway him to act excited about Democratic victories. But in the world of Internet pranks and family antics, things rarely go according to script.
Larry, being the traditional farmer he is, wasn’t quite buying into the script. At the mention of Joe Biden’s electoral successes, his poker face faltered, showing hints of bewilderment. He wasn’t exactly jumping for joy over the current political landscape, and his granddaughter couldn’t help but notice.
The young lady quickly tried to keep the peace, suggesting they could simply edit out the undesirable bits where Grandpa didn’t quite toe the line of partisan enthusiasm. With a grin that suggested he’d seen many Presidential races come and go, Larry played along, perhaps more amused by the attempt than perturbed by the politics. After all, his love for his granddaughter trumped any political disagreements.
The video recorded, it may not win any awards or even secure the scholarship, but the interaction served to highlight a cornerstone of their relationship: family comes first, regardless of how political winds may blow through the ripe fields of their farm. Throughout America, countless families dance this dance, finding humor and warmth in their differences. And sometimes, just sometimes, they create stories that will be shared over Thanksgiving dinners for years to come.
