Why I still see myself as Carissa Kohn.
My father, Merritt C. Kohn, was a phenomenal man. My mother, Joan Kohn, worked harder than any other person I have ever seen. My stepmom, Casey Kohn, loved me to bits even when I was a real pain. My stepfather, Spike, was so dependable that you could set a watch by him. That’s how I came to be who I am, and my brothers and sisters came out pretty dang well, too. I am so fortunate to have grown up in a solid working-class family in a solid working-class town.
My parents divorced when I was in elementary school, and remarried wonderful people, so I grew up with 4 terrific parents. But, back to my Dad. He was an NCO who enlisted and served in the Air Force in Vietnam. He taught me to be a patriot. He and I spent hours talking about current events, global politics, and national news and policy, and he taught me how to replace the guts in a toilet. He just assumed us kids would go to college and have it easier than our parents. And I mean assumed. It wasn’t optional. He died young, just a few years older than I am today, and I was presented with his burial flag – which is in a place of honor in my home.
Everyone in my family had to work hard and work overtime to keep the family afloat. But boy, did my Mom work. Hard. Without vacations. Without breaks. She lit up like a Christmas tree when we came home for visits during college and told her stories of all we were seeing and doing. My Mom didn’t have much, and yet, she was generous. When someone needed help, even if it was money she couldn’t really spare to loan, she would help. She checked in on people. She really cared. She showed up and always did what she said she would do. My Mom taught me by example that you do for others when you can. And you do for family. Period.
My stepmom loved me unconditionally. And I gotta say, sometimes I didn’t make that easy, being a stepchild and all. She was the one who taught me that there are many children who are mistreated, and some kids don’t know where they will lay their head tomorrow or next week or next year, and that we all need to do our part for kids who do not have a forever family. My passion for children in foster care comes straight from my stepmom’s enormous heart.
My stepfather quietly went to and from work day in and day out, modeling uncelebrated dependability for us. It was only years later that I found out he was the reason we no longer had to get free or reduced lunch tickets (those dreaded pink or yellow lunch cards, instead of the full-priced green ones!). And we didn’t make it easy for him to love us, either, much of the time.
My parents were the reason I have been learning and preparing to run for office my entire adult life. Because they taught me you have to show up for people, you do for others, and that this is the best damn country on the face of the earth. I don’t take it for granted, and I really get why so many want to move here.
So I prefer to hyphenate my name to honor my parents because to me, I am Carissa Kohn and always will be. While my parents may have passed when I was just barely an adult, I am certain I have made them very proud. So there you have it, the real reason why I ran for office and why my name tag is so hard to read. Because I know how lucky I am, and I proudly wear the name of those who taught me that you do for others when you can.
Fun fact – My Dad joked (as he was what I often describe as a Reagan or McCain Republican) that his biggest failure as a parent was raising a child who turned out to be a liberal 🙂.