Our Wednesday installment of A Trip Across America will be posted on Thursday this week. Today DiVoran is sharing her beautiful thoughts on our American election-Onisha
I have a sticker on my shirt that says, “I voted.” A lot of people voted in this election. Today, as I stood in line at the polls, I looked around for something to think about. We vote in the recreation building of a comfortable trailer park here in Florida. The furniture was stacked in a corner by the fireplace and the many volunteers were in their places. Everyone was courteous and cordial, voters and helpers alike.
Two of our neighbors were there, one is newly retired military who got a wonderful job, he says his military training got it for him and he’s thrilled.
The other is a music teacher who teaches at a Christian school. She and her good husband have five boys and have lived in a small house on the next block since before the first one was born. For the past few years the line of white cars has grown to three in front of the house. Those are the boys’ cars. I wonder when there will be five. I’m absolutely certain they work and save for them. It’s the American way and I approve.
A couple who were no spring chickens themselves, brought an elderly mother to vote. She had a walker and had to wait so long they turned it so she could sit down, but still, there was no back rest and she had a bad turn. They were there a long time and it must have been grueling. But they stuck it out.
I passed a very young father holding a crying baby on his arm while he patiently tried to mark his ballot. Behind me in one of the lines was a lady dressed in lime green scrubs. When asked if she were a health care worker she said yes and gave me the names of the two assisted living places where she works. I said it takes a very special person to do that kind of work. She said, “I think of them all as my grandmas and grandpas.” What compassion!
As I exited by the back door that led to a pond, I heard the raucous cry of sand-hill cranes. They are huge birds with red feathers on their heads. The man who was standing by to keep people from falling down a step said the cranes had been there all day, but this morning there were three. Now there were only two and one of them was calling over and over for the third one to come back. I really listened then and I heard what the man heard. “Where are you, please come back, we’re worried about you.” The volunteer had obviously become concerned about the missing crane, as well. What a wonderful group of fine caring people were at the polls. Americans all.
At this writing, I don’t know who our president will be for the next four years. I only pray that the spirit of love and compassion that fills our country from sea to shining sea will prevail and that all will be well. I wear my sticker proudly. I voted.
I Voted! (Photo credit: • ian)
Old Things R New 
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