A Stepheny Reflection: A Perfect Day In The Neighborhood

The perfect day, a Carolina blue sky, high of 76, humidity gone, my various Camellia bushes are filled with buds or flowers. Weather that makes you feel you could live forever. My doctor appointment netted a hammer to hit myself over the head to help me sleep. (Granddaughter, Anna Claire said, “Mommy did you know that Grammy plays all night and sleeps all day?”) Then the Nashville Food Lion took all my money, but the best was yet to come.

I turned into the Nashville polling place. Either side of the drive was planted with colorful flowers on wooden stems. There was a parking spot left for me. Workers greeted me who were cheer leading for their candidates. I loved it. I met a nice lady running for the Nash school board, far from being a kid, but a woman still trying to make a difference. You know me well enough that I had to have fun and carry on as I headed into vote.

I thought of an old friend in the advertising world in Chicago. On the golf course , sinking a difficult put, Paul Day was known to say, “Ain’t it Great To Be An American.” Today it certainly was. When I finished with my ballot, I took a minute to look around and take things in. There were Seniors, with a capital S. Young people in their twenties, those with helpers, one bent over a walker, voters of all stripes and poke dots were there. All of us imperfect in our particular ways, voting for imperfect people. It felt to me like we were all one in spirit.

I left with my sticker, ‘I Voted’, on my shirt and made my way back through the workers, telling everyone thank you. My all day at the polls may have passed me by, but I remember the long day working and it isn’t for sissies. I prayed for the best. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I hope you have a Stepheny kind of day soon.