Once in a while, I pull out an old story that has to do with a visit to a neighbor by my father, years ago. The political season was raging. Dad served as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen, and Treasurer of the Bicentennial, and was on the School Planning Committee to study the concept of area schools. I don’t know how he happened to be at the neighbor’s house that day, only that it was for business, related to town affairs.

He stepped into the house and heard the woman who lived there begin to call, “Man Who,” “Man Who.” She was actually calling her cat. When questioned, she said that the name was inspired by politics. After hearing about, “The man who” did this or that, the possible cat name had come into her mind.

Well, the political season this year is certainly a hopeful one as each of us checks with friends and family and we urge each other to vote for our favorite presidential pick. The phone has wrung incessantly, manned by pollsters. Sometimes, I answer in Spanish or ask what kind of pizza they would like to order; sometimes I ask how they found me, since I’m in the Witness Protection Program (just kidding, folks); and sometimes I actually strike up a conversation, as I did today.

The man who called seemed very nice. He asked if I’d like to work on the campaign. No, I can’t find time right now, but listen to how the called ended. I said, “Well, God bless you in your work.” He replied, “Well, God bless you and your vote.” Then, I emphatically exclaimed, “And … God Bless America!” We both hung up feeling a connection, I think, and perhaps a little more hope for the future. This total stranger was the “man who” made my day!

It feels so good to say it, I think I’ll say it again, God bless you and God bless America!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications, http://www.quiltersmuse.com

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