It’s a small table not unlike the one that the two women are sitting at in the hand embroidered linen I used in my Not Going Back quilt and magnet. We’re drinking tea and eating something sweet. Mostly likely something chocolate.
Mandy and I have been having lunch together regularly for over ten years. Actually Mandy would know exactly how long and the date of our first lunch. She has a calendar in her head for dates, which she admits is sometime an annoyance.
I know there are things I’d rather not remember.
There have been times, years in fact, when we had a third person at our lunches. But relationships change, people move on. Over the past few years my friendship with Mandy has deepened. I trust her in a way I trust few people.
We have much in common and many differences too. We both started our own businesses which are successful, we both left bad marriages, found new partners and made good creative lives for ourselves. We both left our birth families behind.
So the message of Not Going Back is very personal for us.
It was Mandy who told me about the new group forming in our town to promote leaders who are Democrats. We live in Republican Elise Stefanik’s district. She is so popular here that running against her seems like a waste of time, money and effort.
I don’t officially belong to this group, I don’t go to meetings. But when Mandy told me that she was sending out postcards to make other Democrats aware of Paula Collins who is running against Stefanik, I told her I’d love to help. I don’t see myself going door to door, but putting a stamp, label and writing a personal note on a postcard promoting a democrat to represent us…that I can do.
So last weekend I wrote to over 200 people letting them know that I believe that their vote matters.
I don’t actually think that a democrat will win (although I’d love to be surprised). But I do believe it’s important to try. I makes me feel good to be doing something rather than just worrying, complaining or being frightened. And I have learned the importance of local politics.
It’s a place were people in small towns like mine can come together and get excited about being involved. It’s politics on a more human level, without the constant polls and analysis. I have friends and interact on a daily basis with people who have different politics and beliefs than I do. And I understand that they feel just as strongly about their beliefs as I do mine.
There’s a difference between being divisive and expressing opinions and beliefs.
For me it’s like building cathedral, it may not happen this election, or even in my lifetime, but I’m helping to lay the ground work.
It’s a choice. I choose not to give up, I choose to have hope.
I love what you wrote about the cathedral, building the foundation. In past years I have written post cards for Moms Rising, but wanted to do something different this year. So I have signed up to drive people to vote who need a ride.
I am not someone who is comfortable with going door to door or making phone calls. But there is work to do. We ride on the shoulders of the women, and men, who came before us in fighting for freedom. As we have learned, it is never a done deal. Each generation has it’s work to do.
That’s right LoisJean, we each do what we can and then everything gets done. And as you say, we have to keep at it, building on the work others have done.
Thank you.
Every weekend we gather to write and mail postcards in Alachua Florida.
Hi Maria. I love this post . I am not putting stickers on my car or posts on my lawn because I know in my local community much like yours that would not be wise. But I will be voting for Paula Collins. Thank you for the work you have done in her behalf. Mary Scott. Voting Blue up and down ballot .