While I was preparing my garage for possible flooding ( it all depends when the Susquehanna River crests and it is all ready at flood stage) and it backs up my creek ( this would be the second flood in less than 6 months but that comes with living near rivers, streams and creeks) But anyhow......
I was measuring and making sure all our things in the garage were 2 feet above the floor when I noticed my Kerry Edwards yard sign sitting in the corner. I got Misty Eyed, and put it on a top shelf for safe keeping. I patted the sign and said, " I miss the campaign guys and we miss you both and America lost big".
Then it hit me, Kerry and Edwards's campaign was flawed but God, I remember the Good too, the Convention, the Campaign stops and how I started singing NO Retreat No Surrender as I walked to the polls in November..it does not seem that long ago but then again seems like years. I walked to the polls that sunny November day like I was walking on air, so anxious to vote and singing that song as interestingly no one was out on the street that day in my small town. I arrived at the polling place, saw the Kerry Edwards sign, made the sign of the cross while touching the sign in a prayer, voted, came out and cried the whole way home. I always cry a little thinking of all the Americans who lived before me who were jailed, beaten, harrassed, killed to get this Right to vote. But I also cried as the nerves set in and this was IT..this was the culmination of 3 years of working towards today.
I am sure you can fully relate. It was an emotional experience long before a vote was counted. Then I never dreamed the grieving process would be so tough, so long, and how closure cannot come till goals are reached and that means more hard work and determination.
But I keep that sign as a reminder of all the hard work, the friends we all made during the campaign, the blogs, the fundraisers, the door to door canvassing, the passion, the fire in our bellies. So if the garage floods, that sign is waving high near the ceiling, secured, and will always serve as impetus to get me moving when I would sooner stick my head in the sand for a while. I know I do not have that luxury.
That sign reminds me we can do this and we have to keep working..it fuels me every time I feel tapped out to remember what ALMOST was. It also reminds me of the passion, determination, the message, and all that happened in this past election cycle.
And I will keep it even when the Dems win the White House again as I never Want to FORGET how BAD it is NOW and how hard November 3, 2004 so that I NEVER EVER get Lazy or complacent.
I want to stay Inspired ..Always!