Edith Ann | 06/27/2008 4:45 pm

Life in the Little Lane: Edith Ann on Obama and Oprah

I always read my hometown paper. Even though there’s not much in it. But today is different. Oh, sure, there was a headline about another runaway teen — we’ve lost a record number this year. But the big news, the biggest headline, too, was about Obama and Oprah coming to Edgetown (which I forgot to mention is where I live and in eight or nine years will probably try to run away from).

I blinked and had to reread the headline because the idea of such important people coming to Edgetown just didn’t make sense. Not that I expect what a politician does to make sense — but Oprah always makes sense.

Anyway, it said (under their photo) they would be here for a Town Hall Meeting. I don’t know where we’ll get a town hall — as far as I know, we don’t have one. I just hope the mayor didn’t trick Obama and Oprah into thinking we do.

I sure hope it happens. The whole town is abuzz (if that’s a word). Seems like everyone’s planning to be there. I bet they’re printing up a fake sign, right now, that says "Town Hall." My whole family’s going — except for my big sister, Irene, who won’t be here, because she’s one of the teens who ran away this year.

I just hope people are not going because they expect Oprah will give out lots of gifts. In my opinion, I think Oprah is giving herself and that should be enough.

But I know people here and I think they’ll be disappointed if they don’t get a gift. I don’t mean books. That wouldn’t go over big here. But, if she gave away a bunch of cars and other big ticket items, Obama could win Edgetown by a landslide.

[alternate ending]But, if she gave away a bunch of cars and other big ticket items, she could do Obama a lot of good.

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Oh, Edith Ann don’t run away. Your mummy and daddy and all of your friends will be so sad and worry for you. Hey, I got it ….. ask mummy and daddy for a new tree house and then when they say yes you can tell them how happy you are to have place to go when they fight. Maybe they will get the message. Now about Irene …. why did she run away? … the world is a very scary place for run a way girls and boys. Sometimes they get tricked into doing things they don’t want to do just to survive and then it becomes a forever way of life. I will worry for Irene and all the other young girls and boys that feel there is no other way out. And the town hall meeting will be held a the local school in the gym. Great, huh, you get to go to school even in the summer ….. oh well, maybe you will get a car or a new tree house of your very own. If only get a book that is OK too … books can take places you can only dream of at the moment on account your still so little …. Now remember my little sister, running away from life is no good … running towards goals and better life is very good. You promise me that you wait until after college to run towards all the good things life has too offer.

By Blue Circle Girl on 06/27/2008 4:30 pm

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Typos out the wahzooo … I could not help it I had to fix them …. sorry. Oh, Edith Ann don’t run away. Your mummy and daddy and all of your friends will be so sad and worry for you. Hey, I got it, ask mummy and daddy for a new tree house and then when they say yes you can tell them how happy you are to have place to go when they fight. Maybe they will get the message. Now, about Irene, …. why did she run away? … the world is a very scary place for run a way girls and boys. Sometimes they get tricked into doing things they don’t want to do just to survive and then it becomes a forever way of life. I will worry for Irene and all the other young girls and boys that feel there is no other way out. And the town hall meeting will be held a the local school in the gym. Great, huh? You have to go to school even in the summer ….. oh well, maybe you will get a car or a new tree house. If you get a book that is OK too … books can take you places you can only dream of at the moment on account your still so little …. Now remember my little sister, running away from life is no good … running towards goals and better life is very good. Please promise me that you wait until after college to run towards all the good things life has too offer.

By Blue Circle Girl on 06/27/2008 6:31 pm

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We’re worried about Irene, too. We can’t find her anywhere, Blue Circle Girl,but you should be worried about me being here in Edgetown, too.This is no place to bring up kids. At leat that’s what all the teenagers say.And this is the one thing I agree with them about. Edith edgetown c

By Edith Ann on 06/29/2008 11:54 am

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Oh, My Sweetie Edith Ann, I will worry for you. I do worry for you. Everyone loves you so much. Can’t you feel it Edith Ann? You and Auntie Jane mean so much too so many. How about asking Auntie Jane if you can make peanut butter sandwiches for the teenagers that seem lost. I bet some of them are hungry. And sometimes they have pets that are hungry too. This part of the note it for Auntie Jane. Auntie Jane, Maybe Edith Ann would feel better if she made peanut butter sandwiches for the teenagers. Also, it might be a good idea to give the teens condoms so that they don’t get sick. I bet the local public health department has bunches of them they will give you if you tell them about your plan. This is an ugly place for run a way teens and kids. I lived in Portland OR. about 9 years ago. There were so many run a ways. And many of them had to turn tricks to make enough money to eat. I know what I am talkin’ about here. That is all I have to say about that. So, I did the sandwich thing. I spent about 30 bucks a month on bread and peanut butter. I also gave some of the really young ones calling cards to call home. I am very upset about Irene. I assume she is a real live person. Meth is a very ugly drug and many of the kids are doing it. They get tricked into thinking it is kewl and fun to do … then comes the H/smack/tar ….all these drugs makes the young kids forget for a moment where and what they came from. By the time they are done forgetting it is too late and some pimp owns their body and the drugs own their young bodies. OH< MAN … tears are running down my face as I think about young ones with no place to go. Auntie Jane, you must be careful with these kids … they are very street smart and never ever give them cash …. it is not a good idea to do that … helping them to get jobs is a good idea … teach them to fish and they will eat for a lifetime. I love you Edith Ann …. and my heart goes out to you Auntie Jane …. I will get a little candle for Irene …. oh, Jane, Jane, Jane, I don’t have much to give you …. all I can do is love you from a distance and I do! When I can I am going to buy your books. I am so proud of you and your partner. You two have done wonderful things together and have made history. I LOVE YOU!

By Blue Circle Girl on 06/29/2008 2:31 pm

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Dear Edith Ann - How exciting that Oprah and Sen. Obama are coming to your very own town! I’ll bet when everyone sees them together, talking about America and about the future and the things that people really care about, they’ll forget all about Oprah’s gifts (except for herself, like you said). I’ll bet they’ll laugh and cry and clap their hands real loud because they will be so excited. I hope you’ll write about how you felt when you saw Ms. O and Sen. O and heard them talk. Have a super wonderful time. And throw them both a big kiss for me, please. xxoo Your friend, Mo p.s. “abuzz” is a great word because it sounds just like what it means. p.p.s. we should talk about running away some other time because it’s important.

By Maurine H on 06/27/2008 4:33 pm

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Edith Ann I’ll bet you can shake their hands of you want to. They will still shake them even if you can’t vote, because you are a little kid and they like little kids. Tell them about Buster and some of the stuff he does and they will like you even more because you have a dog. What kind of question would you ask Senator Obama if you get the chance? Will you ask him for the rest of us kids to make a law that gives kid a minimum wage allowance of $10 a week, even if we don’t do our homework? I could live with that. See if you can get an advance on that for me because I owe my brother seven bucks because I broke his Mr. Machine. Thanks Edith Ann you are my BFF.

By Frannie Em on 06/27/2008 4:41 pm

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Hey, Frannie, I like your idea about a minimum wage allowance. I’ll try to get him your idea…maybe have the gas station slackers make another sign. Or what about a T-shirt that says: ” Kids deserve a minimum wage ‘cause it’s hard work being a kid my age” What do you think? Is it worth marching for? Edith

By Edith Ann on 06/29/2008 2:03 pm

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Edith Ann You said, ‘cause you know how to say it so good. “Cause it’s hard work being a kid my age.”

By Frannie Em on 06/29/2008 2:15 pm

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Edith Ann I blooped again - I meant YOU SAID IT!!

By Frannie Em on 06/29/2008 2:16 pm

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I don’t plan to run away til I’m a few years older, Maurine. I need more experience before I can be a real runaway. Maybe I will come to see some of my wow friends when I’m old enough.Edith

By Edith Ann on 06/29/2008 11:46 am

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If Obama and Oprah came here there would not be any space large enough to hold them. If I saw them together that would be an ultimate moment. She doesn’t need to give me a car….unless it’s a E320 MBZ champagne color. Please note Oprah. Edith Ann never run away! Run TO…..xoxox.

By I Love Money And Money Loves Me on 06/27/2008 5:21 pm

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Dear Edith Ann, I read your story, and your alternate ending. What a clever girl you are. Life is full of alternate endings. Some big girls don’t know this, and get very sad when their stories don’t have the endings they want. But girls that have alternate endings seem to do just fine. Thanks for telling us about your exciting news. Your friend, Kitty

By K O on 06/27/2008 5:35 pm

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Good point, and good advice, Kitty. Sometimes the alternate endings are better than the ones we imagined in the first place!

By Lorraine Bates on 07/01/2008 11:27 am

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I don’t know about giving away cars as long as gas prices are so high—the people of Edgetown might be better off if Oprah gave away some scooters. Better yet, maybe Oprah would consider giving away gasoline!

By Serena . on 06/27/2008 5:41 pm

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Dear Edith Ann,

What exactly is a town hall?

Is it a town with just a hallway? Or is it a hallway with a town? Is the town like one big building with a long hallway? Or is it a gigantic huge hallway with a tiny iddy bitty town in the middle of it? Are there chairs or does everybody hafta stand and do they get their own lockers? If it’s a big hallway, maybe they keep the town buildings in the lockers? I hope at least they have pillows to sit on. You could fit them in the lockers.

By Deni G on 06/27/2008 5:48 pm