Wishes aren't horses and anecdotes aren't polls. But every once in a while there's a one-on-one story that is worth telling; not as inspiring as an Obama 52%- McCain 41% poll, but inspiring nevertheless.
This Monday I had to take my shirts to the laundry. I scooped about 12 of those suckers up in both hands, carrying them into the dry cleaners. The cleaners is on a main road sandwiched in between a number of other businesses and right beside a fast food chain.
I came out of the cleaners and started to get into my car. I heard a voice shout "Excuse me". I didn't turn around, because I don't rubberneck. If someone knows me, they'll shout my name.
But again I heard "Sir. Excuse me." This time I looked over to the adjacent parking lot and saw a man getting out of his vehicle. He was an older black man, probably mid-70s or so. I noticed the out-of-state plates and guessed that he might have needed directions.
He was about 20 feet away, so I walked over towards him. When I got close, he put his hand out and said "I'd like to thank you, sir" I shook his hand but told him "I have no idea what you're talking about" (I had never seen this man before and I couldn't imagine what he meant.)
He didn't answer me, at least not directly. He pointed to the back of my car, said "For that", got back in his car and drove away. Whathe was talking about was the bumper sticker on the back of my car: OBAMA 08.
Anecdotal?Yes. Schmaltzy? Yes. But it's just another thing to keep me going. And sometimes you need that. Even moreso when you see a 52-41 poll.