11/08/2022
Today marks the last full day of campaigning and I’ve been reflecting this evening on the people I’ve met and the things I’m grateful for throughout this process. It’s easy to get sucked into the negatives of campaigning (people do yell at you and slam the door in your face) but there are also a lot of really positive experiences.
While canvassing in Wanatah a few months ago a small kid, probably not older than 4, ran from the driveway where he was playing to me in the street. He hugged my leg, took the literature I was handing out, and ran excitedly back to his house to give it to his parents. I have no idea who that kid was but it made my day.
While working on sign placements in Westville a couple agreed to take a sign for their hill on a well traveled corner lot and I placed the sign despite the tall grass that somewhat obscured it. A few days later I traveled past the sign and noticed they had gone out and w**d whacked the entire hill so that the sign would be more noticeable. The extra effort by them stood out to me and made my day.
Last week I mailed out more postcards and on hundreds of them I wrote out messages asking for the support of the recipient. I always send myself one so I know when they get delivered, and on my postcard was a post-it note from the mail carrier who had probably read dozens of my messages. She jokingly wrote, “He would appreciate your support 😉.” The humor made my day.
And yesterday, after a long day of door knocking, I returned home to find that my neighbor and her family had raked all of my leaves (my yard has sometimes languished a little during the campaign) and left two pieces of apple pie on my front steps. The kind gesture made my day.
Throughout this entire process my family and friends have been incredibly supportive. They’ve helped paint signs, knock on doors, stuff envelopes, place yard signs, organize events, and make phone calls. We’ve got just hours to go! Thank you to everyone who has helped or supported me in some way, big or small. I appreciate you all.
