I couldn’t sum up my dad with one word, but one word that definitely described him—among many—is “patriot.”
Today is Election Day in Missouri and maybe in your neighborhood as well. It is also the second anniversary of my dad’s passing. Election days always remind me of him and one of the best stories our family has to describe just the kind of man he was.
A few years ago, on Election Day, my dad was having chest pain. Since he’d had a history of heart troubles, it concerned him enough to ask my mom to take him to the Emergency Room at our local hospital. However, on the way to the hospital he demanded my mom stop at the polling place, so he could vote. You see, he knew he’d probably be kept overnight at the hospital, and he didn’t want to risk losing his opportunity to cast his vote!
You can imagine the anxiety my mom was experiencing while they waited in line to sign in and vote in that primary election. She told me later that her hands were shaking so badly she could hardly write her name! They made it though. Dad cast his vote and still made it to the hospital that afternoon to be checked out. He was not having a heart attack after all, but they did keep him overnight for testing.
So, today if you’re debating whether you should brave the wind and rain to go vote in another municipal election, remember my dad and his story. He took his privilege as a citizen very seriously. He felt like his vote counted for something, and that his actions could bring about change. I would never recommend doing what he did that day, but it sure makes for a great story! And one, that apparently the whole hospital staff was sharing that day, as well!
It’s storming like hell in Eastern Missouri this morning. Did I tell you that my dad loved a good thunderstorm? Oh, but that’s another story! Happy Election Day. Where there is love there is Freedom!
Today is Election Day in Missouri and maybe in your neighborhood as well. It is also the second anniversary of my dad’s passing. Election days always remind me of him and one of the best stories our family has to describe just the kind of man he was.
A few years ago, on Election Day, my dad was having chest pain. Since he’d had a history of heart troubles, it concerned him enough to ask my mom to take him to the Emergency Room at our local hospital. However, on the way to the hospital he demanded my mom stop at the polling place, so he could vote. You see, he knew he’d probably be kept overnight at the hospital, and he didn’t want to risk losing his opportunity to cast his vote!
You can imagine the anxiety my mom was experiencing while they waited in line to sign in and vote in that primary election. She told me later that her hands were shaking so badly she could hardly write her name! They made it though. Dad cast his vote and still made it to the hospital that afternoon to be checked out. He was not having a heart attack after all, but they did keep him overnight for testing.
So, today if you’re debating whether you should brave the wind and rain to go vote in another municipal election, remember my dad and his story. He took his privilege as a citizen very seriously. He felt like his vote counted for something, and that his actions could bring about change. I would never recommend doing what he did that day, but it sure makes for a great story! And one, that apparently the whole hospital staff was sharing that day, as well!
It’s storming like hell in Eastern Missouri this morning. Did I tell you that my dad loved a good thunderstorm? Oh, but that’s another story! Happy Election Day. Where there is love there is Freedom!
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