Throughout the past year and 9 months, many of us have made calls, canvassed, donated, hoped and prayed for an Obama victory. During the journey we have been inspired by Obama supporters that have a special story. One such story about a great Obama campaign volunteer, Verna Bell, appeared in today's Florida Times Union.
Below is an excerpt from the FTU story which humbled me and serves as evidence that this is much more than just an election. It is a moment in our history that will transform us as a country. People like Verna Bell understood that and wanted to be a part of it.
She jumped on the Obama bandwagon in 2004, before there was a bandwagon, and followed the progress of his campaign with rising excitement.
But as the election in which she felt sure Obama would become America's first black president drew near, her health was failing.
The mother of two and grandmother of four was diagnosed with colon cancer last year. By the time she met Obama in September at a rally in Jacksonville's Metropolitan Park, she was obviously dying.
Her husband realized she might not live until Election Day.
So he talked to Vicki Cannon, Nassau County's supervisor of elections, and arranged to have an absentee ballot mailed to his wife.
Verna Bell lived long enough to fill out and return her ballot. She died on Oct. 10 at age 55.
Honor Verna Bell's commitment by doing something over the next five days to help Obama. Donate, volunteer, or VOTE EARLY if you can.
The Florida Times Union is a right-leaning rag that I normally would never link to. However, in this case I will make an exception for you to read more if you like.