We all matter

To honor a dear friend who works tirelessly for our communities: Get out the vote. Stand for democracy. Protect the vulnerable.

Yesterday, I saw a dear friend for the first time in months - possibly years. She was on the corner at our farmer’s market, staffing a table supporting the Democratic ticket for president (and governor, senator, and representative). We were able to share a few minutes together, reflecting on the last seven years.

We met as our community organized for the Women’s March in January 2017. My friend took the lead in following up, organizing various groups and persisting in keeping the issue of preserving democracy front and center. She’s been on a lot of street corners in the last seven and a half years: protesting family separation at the border, standing for reproductive rights, demanding accountability.

I always thought of her as tireless. We shared a moment of delighted shock as I mentioned I’m about to turn 60, and she mentioned she’s about to turn 80. We agreed we both look and feel great for our ages.

Then she mentioned this is her last campaign. Her very dear husband is going through his second round of bladder cancer and needs her support. She needs to be with him. Our street corners will be lonely, I said.

Why share all this, just a bit more than two weeks before Election Day?

Because this newsletter is for her, and her husband, and everyone who they’ve talked to, cajoled, argued with, and encouraged over the last seven and a half years. Because at her age, she’s seen some stuff: she made a living as a nurse, her husband fought in Viet Nam, they raised children, survived illnesses. Because she deserves to step back from public activism and devote time to her partner.

Because the Republican presidential ticket and their enablers believe she is worth less than their billionaire supporters, that she and her age cohort (and me and mine) do not deserve Social Security and Medicare, that people who disagree with them are expendable, if not downright inhuman.

Because we - I - cannot let her down in this final stretch.

For Sherril, and Don, and everyone who contributes to the beautiful diversity of our American family, our job is to get out the vote. Stand for democracy. Protect the vulnerable.

Simply, our job is to care enough to enact that care through our choice of leaders. Like Sherril and Don have for decades.

Be safe and well. Make your voting plan, help your friends and family make theirs, and vote.

Thank you for your company.

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