Hold On
By: Austin S, Clark County Democratic Party Chair
“When can I vote?” This question came from a strained but sweet voice in a hospital bed. Since her hospitalization in mid-September, facing the final stages of a short but terrorizing battle with cancer, I heard this question every few days from my grandmother. I would reply with my heart in my chest, “October 8th,” unsure if she would be able to hold on that long. As October came, we worried as her condition worsened, but she was worried about casting her vote. With the family gathered around, as she made the decision to move home, on Hospice care, she took a moment alone with each of us. Her first question to me as I sat by her bedside was “When can I vote?” I could only say, “This week. You have to hold on a few more days.”
She moved home, on Hospice care, on Monday, October 7th, and by the time her ballot came in the mail on Thursday, she had stopped eating and drinking, and was sleeping the entire day. I opened her ballot and had it ready for just the moment when she would wake up enough to cast her final vote. After a wait of hours, she awakened, and we began the process. Her eyes widened as I asked “For President, who do you want to vote for?” She very quickly blurted out “Trump!” I, of course, was stunned. So many thoughts rushed through my head. Had she completely lost it? Had the last 8 years since her “conversion” from being a life-long Republican been just an act of support for me? I looked her in the eyes and just said, “If you’re sure,” as I put my pen towards Trump. “DON’T YOU DARE” she quipped, as I let out a sign of relief, and we filled out the rest of her ballot.
I took her ballot down to the Board of Elections that afternoon and cast my own. When I came home she was back asleep and would not wake again. When I told her that her ballot was accepted and would be counted, she gently squeezed my hand. She would pass on her 78th birthday the next day, with the family and myself grateful that she was able to hold on long enough to cast her final vote.
I of course hold a reverence and respect for the sacredness of our vote, but I have a new appreciation this year. How amazing is it that in our final moments, we can help Elect the first female President of the United States, or do our small part to leave our mark on a better, brighter future for our country, community and family? We can use our votes to express the values we hold on to.
Hold on in these final days of the election. Hold on to those who give you strength and inspiration. Hold on to the reasons for which we are all here on this journey together. We share similar values, a common vision for our community, and we bring our diverse but shared experiences together to empower ourselves and each other in this journey. With time running out, encourage those around you to make a plan to vote by Election Day, even if you have to hold on to their hand and drag them to the poles yourself!
PS Thank you to everyone who has shared their sympathies and support for me and my family over the past few months. I appreciate all of you.