What I'll Remember

People rarely come to our front door. The UPS guy. The mailman. My neighbor across the street. Dinner guests. And that's about it. Oh - and politicians or those campaigning for them. Typically that last group will knock on the door, tell me a little bit about what they stand for, ask me if they can put a sign in my yard and then ask "Can I count on your vote?" I always take their paperwork and look up the person if I've never heard them before. Most folks are friendly. Most folks are sincerely interested in helping our community. And all certainly want to win.

Today we got a knock on the door later in the day. It surprised Brad and I cause it was after dinner and typically the campaigners come earlier in the day. It was a woman. She said her name and that her husband was running for mayor. She went on to tell me his current occupation, what his plans are for our city and handed me a sample ballot with information about her husband.

"He's across the street," she said, almost apologetically since it wasn't the candidate himself I was speaking to.

But honestly I don't think he would have done a better job campaigning for himself than she did for him that day. I say that because after she handed me the sample ballot, she went on to say, "He's honorable. He's hardworking. He's a wonderful man." You could see this sweet glow in her face as she smiled. "I know this because I have been married to him for 36 years."

When she was saying this last sentence, I said the first thing back to her: "You love him very much." And she just nodded. "I'm a little biased," she said again almost apologetically. "I hope you'll remember him when you vote."

How could I not? Now I don't yet know enough about his stance, party or policies, but I will certainly remember him, because of her. After she wished me a good evening and walked away, I gently closed the door and walked back to our living room where my husband was sitting.

"Did you hear that?" I asked him.

"That was the most precious thing ever," he said.

I am thinking our politicians need new tactics. No mud-slinging. No baby-kissing and photo ops. No long pontificating and hollow promises. Just send out your spouse to campaign for you. If he/she loves and admires the candidate as much as this women obviously loved and admired her husband, it speaks volumes.

Oh, yes, I will remember his name. But I will remember her more.