Last night was fretful. I made the mistake of looking at my phone before turning in. The candidate in the special election that we voted for was behind by thousands of votes. I was saddened. Jilda had an EARLY morning class at work today for the staff and I couldn't bring myself to tell her we were losing the election.
I tossed and turned. With closed eyes, I could read the headlines in international news. I could have written the jokes on late-night TV.
When the alarm went off this morning, Jilda headed for the shower. I punched the brew button on the coffeemaker, removed the phone from its charger, and sat down on the couch. I tapped on the CNN news feed. My heart leapt. CNN said that AP had projected our man, Doug Jones as the winner.
I clicked on the Washington Post and the New York Times and they were saying it was an astonishing upset. Even that disturbed me, since the opposing candidate had been accused of molesting chilren...but I didn't let it dampen my enthusiasium.
I shouted out to Jilda. Even though she was in the shower she heard me.
We both scanned every newsfeed we could find. It was true. Not fake news...not some kind of joke...but the truth. At least for a while, Alabama did the right thing and elected a decent man. I know this sounds wimpy, but we hugged and wept with joy.
Is that too much to ask? To have and honorable woman or man representing us?
The father of one of our best friends, Carl Elliott Sr. was an Alabama Represenative in Washington. One of the programes he started in rural Alabama was a books on wheels program. It gave every child in his district access to the Library. I can't tell you how many books I checked out from one of those book-mobiles. It was an ingeniious solution to a problem that plagued people in rural areas in the 1960s. Access to free books.
After retirement, he practiced law in the county seat. His son introduced us to him. He was gracious to a fault. He always made Jilda and me feel important. He won the first John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage awards in 1990.
These days, I guage politicians by Carl. Do they know what their people need. Do that provide for those who cannot provide for themselves, or do they cater to those who make the largest contributions?
Tonight Jilda and I are both happy. I just hope Doug Jones can fill the shoes of our old friend Carl Elliott.
I tossed and turned. With closed eyes, I could read the headlines in international news. I could have written the jokes on late-night TV.
When the alarm went off this morning, Jilda headed for the shower. I punched the brew button on the coffeemaker, removed the phone from its charger, and sat down on the couch. I tapped on the CNN news feed. My heart leapt. CNN said that AP had projected our man, Doug Jones as the winner.
I clicked on the Washington Post and the New York Times and they were saying it was an astonishing upset. Even that disturbed me, since the opposing candidate had been accused of molesting chilren...but I didn't let it dampen my enthusiasium.
I shouted out to Jilda. Even though she was in the shower she heard me.
We both scanned every newsfeed we could find. It was true. Not fake news...not some kind of joke...but the truth. At least for a while, Alabama did the right thing and elected a decent man. I know this sounds wimpy, but we hugged and wept with joy.
Is that too much to ask? To have and honorable woman or man representing us?
The father of one of our best friends, Carl Elliott Sr. was an Alabama Represenative in Washington. One of the programes he started in rural Alabama was a books on wheels program. It gave every child in his district access to the Library. I can't tell you how many books I checked out from one of those book-mobiles. It was an ingeniious solution to a problem that plagued people in rural areas in the 1960s. Access to free books.After retirement, he practiced law in the county seat. His son introduced us to him. He was gracious to a fault. He always made Jilda and me feel important. He won the first John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage awards in 1990.
These days, I guage politicians by Carl. Do they know what their people need. Do that provide for those who cannot provide for themselves, or do they cater to those who make the largest contributions?
Tonight Jilda and I are both happy. I just hope Doug Jones can fill the shoes of our old friend Carl Elliott.
From the other side of the world I saw and applauded. And hope that Doug Jones can fill your friends very big shoes.
ReplyDeleteFrom another state. Alabama's politics are their politics. It is always nice for the candidate you vote for to win. There are times my candidate wins, but I don't feel like shouting. I hate voting for the lesser of two evils. But in my case it happens too many times. I do hope the win works well for the country.
ReplyDeleteThe whole country watched Alabama's special election with care and concern. Conscience and character won out. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteIt was all over the news. Hopefully all will be well.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the joy of all the people who voted for Doug Jones when they heard the news.
ReplyDeleteI truly hope that he will make a difference for the positive for your people.
Hugs, Julia
I think the entire country sighed with relief when Jones one, even though Moore is too full of himself to concede.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me hope that good will prevail over evil in the end. I hope your beautiful state will be better for this.
ReplyDeleteI hope Jones does good things for your state. Why in the world would they let a molester run for office in the first place?
ReplyDeleteLisa