We didn't think he was in the right frame of mind to understand what he would be doing and certainly not strong enough to stand in line or if moved to the front of the line, to cast his vote.
While Mom was performing her civic duty, I sat in the car with Dad and he asked: where is your mother? When I told him, he asked why he couldn't vote. I explained to him my previous statement and his response made me feel so ashamed....Why? I know what to do! You put the card in the machine and hit the buttons. How and what gave me the right to think he wasn't capable to vote? His age? His physical limitation? All my life, I've been fascinated with his passion for history, geography & civic. Time magazine was a staple in our house and till this day, he reads the paper on most days. He's much more current than I am on everything political and I mean, worldwide.
After wiping a tear from my face, I promised Dad I would take him to vote for the upcoming Presidential election. I tried to minimize the importance of the primaries but I wonder what went through his mind. He asked when that would be and I said, November Dad, today is July 31st.
Pops and I watched all the 2012 Presidential & VP debates and often discussed politics. That's a sure way to get him talking. The conversation would often be about US politics as well as worldwide, albeit, during those moments I mostly listened. My Dad enjoys politics so much, that given the chance, he engages everyone in a game of political trivia asking "Who was _____" and my 3G blackberry usually can't surf fast enough to answer the 1st question, when he's off to the next. ☺
Yesterday, Saturday, October 27, 2012, I took my 90 year young Dad to cast what will most likely be his last presidential vote. I say most likely last vote because he is a hospice patient and he's not expected to live anther 4 years but then again, he wasn't expected to live past April 20, 2012. That's another story but God was and is in control!
As I drove Dad to the polling facility, I asked if he knew who he was voting for and he said, yes, we watched the debates together and I'm voting for __. I said OK, just remember, you don't have to tell anyone who you're voting for (I was just making sure today was a good day for him, mentally).
We got to the facility, he sat in the wheelchair while I escorted him to the front of the line. I filled out the validation form and he signed it. I didn't let him put an "X" for his signature and neither did I sign on behalf of him. The pollster attempted to give me his access card but I told Dad to accept his card. When we were called to vote, I wheeled Pops to the booth and he knew exactly what to do: insert that card and get to going. My only assistance was reading the questions to him but he made his independent selection and Casted His Vote.
Remember, old people are contributing members of society. Sure they need our help getting around but don't discount what's important to them. It was important for Pops to vote and even more important for me, was keeping my promise to take him to vote.
In L.O.V.E,
--jC
