Keep on Moving Forward
“No, I don’t think you’re gonna be able to go anywhere after the election.” And with that, my inquiry as to whether or not the state of Lisa’s pregnancy would preclude us from taking a much-needed vacation after the 2008 campaign was settled: we would be staying in Reno for the likely premature delivery of our twin boys. From that moment forward, the next few months raced by us in a blur of joy, pain, fear and relief. In short, the hardest months of my entire life.
The day after the election, Lisa was ordered to the hospital on a month-long bed rest to forestall the delivery. Facing pre-eclampsia, our boys were delivered Thanksgiving weekend, eight weeks before their due date.
December and January were a volatile cocktail of celebration for our beautiful babies, as well as a constant vigil of dread and terror as we weathered false-positive chromosome disease test results, a range of frightening preemie medical conditions, infections, and progress and setbacks in their respiratory development.
Our celebration of Luca’s release after six weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was tempered with the reality that Finn remained behind, struggling to breathe on his own. On the opening day of the 75th session of the Nevada Legislature, the boys’ original projected due date, Finnegan was released from the hospital tethered to an oxygen tank that would remain by his side for many more weeks.
“Oh man, you’re probably not getting much sleep are you?!” was a common question I received during the 2009 session. And while the nights home from Carson City were indeed tough in the midst of one of the most difficult budget sessions in Nevada history, the joy and optimism of having our precious babies home kept me going.
In the months since that tough session, both the experience of the pregnancy and the NICU seem light years behind. Our babies have blossomed into vibrant little 15-month old boys, complete with distinct personalities, curiosity and joy.
As I’ve stated before on this blog, the decision to run is never a decision I take lightly. In the wake of the difficult choices we had to make last session to keep our state moving forward, and the new-found perspective on life I’ve gained from a fatherhood that came precariously close to never existing, there’s no getting around that this year’s decision to run for re-election was not easy.
The recent special session in which we had to make tough decisions in order to address a $900 million budget shortfall churned my stomach many times over. The anxiety my family and friends feel in this economy, many of whom have been out of work for months or live one layoff round away from not being able to provide for their families, is real. While I was able to fight and reduce some of Governor Gibbons’ most severe cuts, I know there are many difficult days to come next session.
But similar to the blossoming life I’m privileged to witness everyday in my two sons born to adversity, I’m confident that the only choice I can realistically make is to keep on moving forward.
Today, I’m filing for re-election to serve the residents of Assembly District 24.
Nevada’s budget challenges are enormous. Our challenge is not only to survive the immediate economic disaster, but to plan, now, for a brighter future for our state and our children. Making this next session even more daunting is the effect of term limits in which we’ll see a massive turn over in leadership in our citizen legislature. Over the past two sessions, I’m proud of the experience I’ve gained to become an effective advocate for my district and this state. I’m ready to boost my service to new heights in light of these changes as we pursue new solutions to Nevada’s problems.
I can take it. I’ve been through a lot. We will weather this storm. We will see a better tomorrow. With your help, we will get there, together.
Please join me on the campaign trail. Fan me on Facebook and/or join my Heckuva Lotta Friends Facebook Group. Also be sure to sign up for email updates from the campaign so you can stay involved.
And… check out my new campaign video! “Keep Moving Forward.”
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