On Tuesday the littles and I loaded up and headed to the middle school just down the road a few minutes. This was my first time voting there, but I was familiar with the school, as Aub went there in sixth and seventh grades.
We walked in and the jaguars and purple and black colors greeted us, as did a young volunteer who directed us where to go. The line was longer than any I’d experienced in many years if ever, but it was moving fairly quickly. People were in good spirits, and I noticed a law officer standing off in a corner who could probably address those who might not have been.
A little girl maybe two and a half or three years old was in front of us with her mother. She was intrigued by the purple floor tiles. “Dey my fabrite,” she said, pointing and then touching her toe to first the little square and then the big one. A little girl who has already moved from pink to purple as her favorite–it made me smile.
As we moved forward to where she could see our desired goal, she looked puzzled. “Mama, where de boat?”
Her mother leaned over to hear her question again. “What, honey?” The little one turned all around with her arms spread wide. “I don’t see de boat. Where de boat?”
Her Mama patted her on the back and smiled. The officer standing close by was amused, and I was enchanted. Her Mama gently explained that she had said they were going to “vote” not “boat.”
Oh honey. I get it.
These days I find myself looking for the boat too. The one we are all in. Together.
Because all of us–EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US–are in the SAME BOAT. This community, this state, this country, this world–we are ALL in that same boat, no matter how we may feel inclined to vote. Whoever is elected doesn’t heal the rifts or settle the misunderstandings. The wounds inflicted now won’t magically disappear when all of the promises, accusations, finger pointing, name-calling, and fear-mongering is over. They will still be there, deep and throbbing. Whether the candidate you support or the one I support is elected, the PAIN WILL REMAIN.
The only way to stop the pain is to never inflict it.
So before we do or say or share all the hurtful things, we need to remember–
We are all in the same boat.
If we crack the hull, we ALL suffer. Not just those with whom we disagree.
Let’s row it back to calmer waters together, y’all.
“Fischerboot” by Re-Zensor – Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fischerboot.jpg#/media/File:Fischerboot.jpg
I Might Need A Nap 
Well said, Tara! I hate all the political posts, nasty ads, and all that is going on now. You have said it so eloquently, we are all in the same boat. As usual, your thoughts and writings resonate with me!
About that boat—save room for me.