The Power of "One" posted by NC 4 Obama Volunteer
"I have the same red footies" was the only thing I could think to say while steadying Marie towards my car to vote yesterday. She paused and looked at her slippers and at me and at the ten feet or so to reach the curb. I put my hand under her left arm as she leaned on her cane and slowly made it to the car and to the seat witrh a major sigh of relief.
Ian had called me from the Durham Obama for America office with Marie's address and phone number and warned me that this would be a "curbside" voter.
Marie confided "I want to vote for Barak Obama" after I fastened her seat belt for the ride to the voting poll. I assured her that I was there to help her to do just that. Marie is both retired and disabled. We passed by the dry cleaners that she worked in for 36 years and she marvelled at seeing the new apartments on Ninth Street (that have been there for at least 5 years). Turns out this is Marie's first trip out of her home since she can remember.
Marie's hands are shaking and she lets me know she is also nearly blind in one eye. Upon arriving curbside at the polling station, I tell her to wait in the car while I get help. A very considerate voting official brings an affadavit to the car for her to sign before she can bring a ballot. I get back in the driver's seat and hold the clipboard while the official encourages her to "sign it the best you can." Marie is able to scribble her name near the line and it seems to be good enough for the official.
Witnessing and assisting Marie to find the blank and fill it in for Barak Obama is something I will never forget. There were tears in everybody's eyes.
"I did it," she said handing back the voting ballot.
Yes she did.
She did it because somebody knocked on her door from the Durham for Obama canvassing team. And that canvasser assured her that if she wanted to vote for Barak Obama and did not have transportation that it would be provided.
She did it because a data entry volunteer made a special notation in the database.
She did it because an Obama staffer made sure to follow up on the primary election day.
She did it and I got to witness it.
And for that I am grateful. There were lots of voters that I helped get to the polls yesterday. But I will always remember Marie - and always always when I wear my red footies.