But, I think, regardless of which persons are elected, many of us will go back and start mending any nets within our reach. I think it will be sueful and perhaps also much needed.

your observation about all the early voters is poignant to me too, deb. I am a little amazed that what used to be a collective day of priviledge and duty at the polling place in our neighborhoods, one of the few times a year where we'd see a lot of our neighbors all in one place and chit chat and tell stories of the kids and old folks and current health challenges and prides and honors and such…. has sort of morphed into voting without contact with other human beings.

I think we might be the poorer for it, even though this year, I also filled out a paper ballot and mailed it in. I thought about that beforehand, and had my family situation not been so harried, I definitely would have gone to the polling place (church/school) to vote so I could just 'communitize' with others.

Thank you very much for your wish of comfort; I will put your blessing to good use. Promise.

dr.e

I like your thoughtfulness of conduct for yourself in the world.

dr.e

It's good to see you posting again.

When I was younger, I felt that who one voted for should be kept secret, just as I believed many other things should be secret. But, this time, I think my sentiments are clear.

I have not yet voted, even thought I was willing to be a part of the wave of early voters. It seems to me that so many people have voted early that there may not be long lines on election day after all.

I wish you comfort in your recent loss of loved ones.

You've always held your cards close to the vest about your preferences throughout this seemingly interminable election cycle. I use a similar prayer (and I'd like to fancy that I discerned from your prayer who you DID vote for — big grins). But you've given me much to think about. Your post during the primaries last spring about the need to unplug from the Perpetual Angst-Mongering was helpful for me, and now I am tempted to go buy myself a fedora to symbolize your words here. There is a sense of quiet and determined power in your decision to keep your vote private. (As an aside, there's a fascinating New Yorker article about the history of the secret ballot: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/10/13/0….)

I realized too late that I should have been more protective of my own views, which I too freely entrusted to others. And here I add a second prayer adapted from a line in Pete Abel's essay: before I voice an opinion, I will ask myself “what am I trying to accomplish?” I'm actually quite okay with the notion that my need to enlighten others with my opinion is vastly over-rated.

What I do enjoy is respectful exchange of ideas, even debate, but there's something about this campaign cycle that has become personal for so many, and sometimes one realize a bit too late that one's debate partner (to borrow one of your metaphors, Dr. P) may be dancing with red shoes of rage. Most likely, the antidote is the same practice of disengagement that you advocated last fall.

Deep breaths . . .

I think political and other kinds of passion can be quiet or bold and all in between. I'd mostly be worried about people who have none whatsoever. That would Not be you, dear Ghostdreams.

Thank you for the Egyptian glyph too. I was thinking as I was reading it that for the two souls in our family who have just passed, their cats had immediate reactions throughout and after, harbingers perhaps of what the rest of us thought and felt too.

dr.e

An aside on asking about family when meeting folks..
Trivia: Did you know in Ancient Egypt when a major death occurred in a family and friends came around to express their concern…the first question they asked was:
“How is the CAT DOING?” (like ..Is she eating ok?? Is she depressed?” hmmm)
Cats were considered representatives of the Goddess Bast (and I think to an extent Sekhmet) and their welfare was taken very seriously.

Just my two cents worth,

Ghost
PS It is a bit audacious of me to think that ANYTHING I have to say could sway a voter one way or the other, eh? I felt I had to try. blush heeh blush

thank you for remembering my family by calling by names for us to ever remember . Will put it to good use. Promise.

dr.e

a while back heard a program on NPR about cultural differences for immigrants from Northern Europe. . .the man interviewed said, exactly the same thing as you about not speaking about political affiliations or how one votes. . . he said it was one of the more difficult things to adjust to here in the States. . .then went on to add in Northern Europe people would meet one another for the first time and ask about family and children. . .but when he did ask about family and children in America. . .he soon found people would react with suspicion and fear. . . i like it when people don't share who they voted for. . .sign of substance. . .i think. . .

May God and Mother Mary continue to enfold you during this time of sorrow. . .sending you and your family prayers. . . comfort. . .peace. . .and heartfullness. . .

dr.e

hang in there,
dr.e