A Real Pick-Me-Up

By Gloria E.

Most people we meet while canvassing are friendly and grateful for our efforts. But it does hurt when someone comes to the door and then says they’re not interested. It’s hard to accept that they aren’t interested enough to talk for a few minutes, when we’re interested enough to walk around their neighborhood in the July heat.

Because so much is at stake in the upcoming elections, for all of us, it seems nearly tragic not to be interested. They may have their reasons for having a bad attitude toward politics, or they might just be having a bad day. We only canvass Democrats, but maybe they mistakenly think I’m a Republican, so they send me away before making sure. But in any case, it’s rare, one or two in 50 houses, or so.

So when I got two “not interested” in a row, I was feeling a bit down as I went to the next house. Imagine my delight when a little girl, maybe 6 or 7, ran after me, turned around and said “We vote Blue!” And after that, she kept running back and forth as I walked between houses, as if protecting me from negativity.

I didn’t take her picture, and I wouldn’t post a picture of a child, but in my memory, that little girl and her enthusiasm are a very bright spot.