Mary called me this morning.

[stage left]

And somehow I missed her call, but she left a voice mail. She was calling, she said, for Hillary for South Carolina. Her voice was soft, a little nervous and unsure. She sounded liked me when I was making calls for Bernie before the primary. She sounded, as I did, like she was doing something that was a stretch for her, that was difficult for her to do, reaching out by phone to strangers. But she was doing it anyway because there was something, perhaps, that compelled her to go beyond her comfort zone, as I felt compelled.

She told me we just have a week until the election, and encouraged me to get out and "vote Democratic down the line." Because it's important. That's why Mary was doing this, even though it was hard for her. Because it's important.

Mary, wherever you are, I'm sorry I missed your call and thank you for calling. Thank you for caring. I just want you to know that you don't have to worry about me. I looked up my ballot information last night and checked up on the candidates. I, along with my husband, will be casting my ballot November 8. We'll be voting "Democratic down the line". Don't worry. For Hillary. For South Carolina. For you, Mary, and all our fellow Americans.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

2. K&R nt

[fun n serious]

4. Thank you Stage

You and Mary make me feel proud to be a Democrat.

[Liberal Jesus Freak]

5. Beautiful!!!

K & R

[japple]

8. Thank you stage left for this post. It is beautiful. Bless you, Mary, wherever

you are. You might live somewhere in a red, red, red area like me, or you might be someone who called my phone from Nevada last night at 10:30. You might be the one that called me from California the night before. I know you aren't the one that keeps calling me from Jamaica. I'm sorry that I don't answer those calls on my cell phone from numbers that are not from my area, but I don't want to engage with sales people, scammers and, after participating in many, many surveys over the years, I am don't want to give out any more information about myself. I hope you will understand.

[berksdem]

10. Awesome post....

[liberalla]

11. I hope Mary reads this... somehow, someway... she gets your message.

for Mary and all the Marys out there~~thank you!

[Ligyron]

12. In states that only allow voting on the 8th of Nov.

I have to wonder how on earth all those people are going to be able to cast their ballot with the polling places available.

IDK, I'm in FL that's had early voting for a week and every time I pass a polling location, no matter what time of day, it's packed with way long lines outside the building.

No way we could all vote at once - it would take two 24 hour days at the very least. Many would give up and leave.

[stage left]

13. I am in one of those benighted states.

Usually it is dismally quiet at our polling place. I don't know how it will be this year. My husband wouldn't be able to stand for hours, so perhaps I should go prepared with folding chairs in the car and bottles of water.

[Upthevibe]

14. OMG that was so beautifully written. Thank you :-) n/t

[floppyboo]

15. that made me cry. nt

[NanceGreggs]

16. A beautiful story ...

... beautifully told.

[Lucinda]

17. Wow.

I'm pretty sure that I love you.

[SunSeeker]

18. K & R

[DemonGoddess]

19. K&R!

[calimary]

21. WUNNNNNderful!

Thanks for posting this, stage left. To the Marys everywhere - THANK YOU! Your heartfelt message is being heard.

[Coyotl]

22. Wonderful.