2008-11-03

I've volunteered. To date, I've given up four hours of my time, at a time when I have so little. I've given up my dedicated me time. I've given up some running time. I'm giving at least 2 more hours today. If you figure in a low hourly rate that I could make as a librarian--that's $120.
In that volunteering, I've called people. I hate calling people. I even hate calling people I know. I'm sick today, but I'm going out anyway.

But I'm hopeful.

I've been stopped on the street, in stores, at the school and had moments of camaraderie. A woman tapped on the window of our Toyota to tell Husband she liked his bumper sticker and good luck on Tuesday. This is not to say I've not heard differing opinions--my partner at the literature drop on Saturday had a man tell her he was voting for Palin. But generally, I have hope.

And I'm not alone.

Sometimes in yuppieville, it feels lonely to be a progressive (which is how I define myself). Sometimes I sit baffled as my neighbors all agree that CHIP is too wasteful. Shake my head in wonder when they announce that schools get enough money from the state. How can we not afford to take care of our children, I wonder. How can we not, as a society take care of the poor around us? How can we be so greedy and short-sighted?
Yes, it feels lonely. It feels terrible to see that you were one of merely 500 people in town that voted for a candidate that promised better funding methods for schools in Michigan.

This year I feel hope. Not just on a national level, but on a local one as well.

I will be so disappointed and angry if something happens to dash my hope.
And I suspect a lot of others will be too.

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