MyFox
 

microbrother's Blog

by microbrother from D.C.

Last Post 31 days, 16 hours Ago


My greatest honor!
Nov 2, 2008 | 9:11 AM
Category: Political
Report This Post

This is no “stock photo”, folks. This is my 84-year young mother. 

 

Yesterday, while preparing to take this photo, I got misty-eyed because I knew that this is the most important vote of her lifetime and, perhaps the last presidential vote she will cast. 

 

Mother-dear was rushed to the emergency ward last Monday, the day before I was to take her to vote. I stayed with her all day in the hospital until my sister relieved me. While there, I read and prayed with her. She asked if I thought she would be out in time to vote for “O-baby”, her term of endearment for Senator Barack Obama. 

 

She was released from the hospital just in time. While waiting her turn to vote, we saw other seniors of all races in wheelchairs, walkers, those being assisted by family members. We had never seen such an election turn-out like this before. Everyone was so helpful to one another and gleeful with anticipation. The whole process took no more than thirty minutes, but emotionally, it was the best thirty minutes we shared with our fellow Washingtonians in a longtime!  

 

So, if you know a senior or someone who maybe challenged to get to the polls on Tuesday, do what I have been doing because it feels so good. 

 

Thanks, Mom, for the honor and privilege you gave me!

 

28 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 28
Page 1 of 2
1
2
 Last
MsColleen
Nov 2, 2008 | 9:19 AM

Although I don't share your choice for president it is an honor for all Americans to cast their vote. I'm glad she was able to enjoy that moment as I'm sure a proud American would. She looks like a lovely lady.
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Nov 2, 2008 | 9:50 AM

" perhaps the last presidential vote she will cast. "

And she wasted it on Obama??
microbrother read my blog
Nov 2, 2008 | 9:55 AM

MsColleen,

Thank you for your kind words.

I must admit that I was reluctant to share my experience with my mother on this site because, as you know, folks can be pretty brutal here. Who would want to subject dear ol’ Mom to that? Case in point: dog’s comment.

But, I think my experience cuts across all political and racial barriers, that is why I decided to share it this morning.
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Nov 2, 2008 | 10:00 AM

I figure if you going to be brutal about everyone else micro.........

Besides it was a joke anyways..
Linebacker53 read my blog view my photos
Nov 2, 2008 | 5:45 PM

Micro:

Beautiful picture of [what I term as] one of my diamonds (i.e., Senior Citizen). There's nothing more precious than a portrait of one who has weathered the storm of racial segregation and bigotry and now, taking the opportunity to speak her mind through the voting process...

Tell Mom I said; "Hi” and “Keep on Keeping on”…

Lovely picture there… Home Slice…
Franky01 view my photos
Nov 2, 2008 | 8:29 PM

Congrats to Gran-mother and thanks Bro' for taking time to help gran' mother to realize her dream !

-----------------------------------------------

I wanted to day something about one of the comments i read on this blog from Red Dog:

Mr "RED DOG 1"... Shame on you to say of this gran' mother's picture and story was: "..." perhaps the last presidential vote she will cast... And she wasted it on Obama??"

--Sir, you proved by your comments to be disrepectful to one's aspirations and fredom, even more you decided to disregard a very precious action a senior citizen has done for her entire life. With your disheartning comments you even didn't care about one's gran' mother.

Do you realize what it is to live for 84 years as a black mother and believe in something you acquired with pain (right to vote) and are not sure you will see one day (elect one of yours), and to finally get to embrace it at the 11th hour of the night (Voting for Obama)?

You don't know what it is in essence, do you? What do you make of her voting her entire life for guys like Bush,McCain, and maybe for Kerry and Gore, and see her vote thrown away or not counted? So, please learn to refrain from ridicule yourself...It's like you saying "McCain wasted his time serving in Vietnam or resisting in vietnamese prison...". And you know as Obama supporters, we respect McCain's service to our country!

You are the worst PERSON on the blogg today!

Franklin
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Nov 2, 2008 | 9:32 PM

Voting is a civic duty.
Yeah it's nice she voted, BUT everyone should vote.
Now all of a sudden because a Black man is running for office it's a noble thing to do.

Come on.

Did this woman have her picture taken every time she has voted??

Probably not. So why is it sooo noble now??

Race that's all.

Stating the "misty eyes" because she was voting, Was that for every time she voted? Or because of race??

Franky, I could care less what you think of me.

But I suggest you see the quote was from the blog, I mearly made a quip.
Linebacker53 read my blog view my photos
Nov 2, 2008 | 9:32 PM

Franky01:

Thank you... I started to comment to him in regards to that awkward statement he made but decided to not waste my time...

Again, thanks for your response. Couldn't have said it better....
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Nov 2, 2008 | 9:41 PM

lb you know I would have shot you down if you did. Good choice in staying quiet.
You finally have found your place.
microbrother read my blog
Nov 2, 2008 | 11:47 PM

reddog,

I fault myself for sharing something as near and dear to me as my mother on this site. I thought we were all adults that have the capacity to respect motherhood. I was, simply, trying to demonstrate the positive impact Senator Obama’s candidacy has had on so many people, regardless of who and where they are.

This demonstration was not about race, but about a movement that inspired people not just in this country, but all over the world. It just so happens that the man who inspired this great movement is a man of color.

My mother is neither famous nor a politician. She is my mother and where I come from, that is sacred. If not your intent, the tenor of your statements says that you could care less about motherhood and that does make you the worst person on this site!
microbrother read my blog
Nov 2, 2008 | 11:54 PM

LineBacker & Franky01,

Thank you for your words of support. Obviously, you have mothers whom you respect and honor. It’s very unfortunate for those who do not have what we have.
Linebacker53 read my blog view my photos
Nov 3, 2008 | 12:54 AM

Micro:

You're more than welcomed....

My mother passed away in 2004 at the age of 93. I didn't grieve to much over it and, for anyone to tell me [at the time] they were sorry do to her passing, I would politely discuss with them; She was 93, had lived a good and long life, possibly living her life and half of someone else's, no one can be more blessed than that. What God has given, has to be relinquished back to God one day…

This is why I view all Seniors as my diamonds. They’ve been through the rough of live where neither you, I and others have never been and survived the challenges they faced which, makes them comparable to a diamond… Hard to Break & [absolutely] Beautiful!!…
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Nov 3, 2008 | 6:33 AM

Micro, I am in no way disrespecting your mother.

I just find it funny how NOW after years and years of voting in this country, people who never voted (but I'm sure complained) are going to the polls for the first time.
Makes me wonder why they didn't before.
Now a black man runs and all these inspiring stories of people 100 years old and others being carried to cast a ballot. WHY?
I can't help but think RACE that's why.
People who never voted can make it to the polls but never did before in their life, because WHY??
RACE that's why.
I wonder if both candidates had been white would you have been so teary eyed and snapping photos of mom voting then??

The first comment I made was a joke, I used your own words to make it. ONLY because you say this is your real mother will I say sorry if I offended her.

But all in all voting is a duty not a photo op, and the question still stands.

Why is this time so monumental? If race isn't a factor?
Linebacker53 read my blog view my photos
Nov 3, 2008 | 7:15 AM

Micro:

When you're from the other side of the tracks, you wouldn't have an inkling on how people are feeling more inclusive in the decisions of the multitude...

Like Red_Dog stated; RACE... He injects this as a "dead horse" tactic due to the fact, he can't understand the pride of finally voting for someone from a Race that has been denied the opportunity to vote for someone of their own geneology... What they're (AA Seniors) viewing is; "They probably never expected to see something of this magnitude happening in their life time... And, Red_Dog probably never will understand because he view things from status quo... This is the year 2008 and people must understand that; this country isn’t as stagnated as it has been in the past… Everyone can get an opportunity to do so if their minds are geared towards what they dream of… Abraham Lincoln was said; “Once an idea is in your mind, half the problem is already solved.”

Need I say more????
microbrother read my blog
Nov 3, 2008 | 8:17 AM

reddog,

With the help of LineBacker and Franky01, I’ve resigned to the fact that you don’t have the capacity to understand what this moment means to people of color here and around the world. Unfortunately, I don’t think that we have the capacity to explain it any better.

However, I do think that you have the capacity to not tread on someone else’s family when asked not to. Let’s just leave it at that.
microbrother read my blog
Nov 3, 2008 | 8:19 AM

LineBacker,

I lost my father, Pastor Ray, ten years ago. To the unenlightened, this might sound strange, but he talks to me all the time. My only regret is that he can’t share the excitement of Barack’s candidacy with me, physically.

He died at the age of seventy-five. Even though he went on to claim his reward at a relatively younger age, I know exactly what you’re talking about. The difference is that I grieved very hard, so hard that nothing can hurt me as much, anymore. Not even insensitive people’s statements about the “diamond” in my life, my mother.
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Nov 3, 2008 | 8:30 AM

Spoken like a true Democrat.
Never really answering the question at hand.
Misdirection that's all.
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Nov 3, 2008 | 8:44 AM

I believe a man's qualifications should be a deciding factor NOT his race.

Blacks are only voting for Black.

When this is done the "magnitude" of the situation is only based on skin color.

Voting for a black man because he is black is nothing more than being racist.

Voting for a man based on abilities is why people should vote for a candidate.
The mentality of the black community seems to be "because a black man is running" he should win.

That's not historic, it's racist.

I know why I'm voting for McCain and it's not because he is white.

Can you NOT say the only reason your voting for Obama is because he is black?

If you can't be honest don't even bother answering.
Linebacker53 read my blog view my photos
Nov 3, 2008 | 10:56 AM

micro:

"The difference is that I grieved very hard, so hard that nothing can hurt me as much, anymore."

For everything there's a reason... This was probably your test and a "strengthening process" giving by You Know Who...
LilBits read my blog view my photos
Nov 3, 2008 | 12:23 PM

Micro:

I am glad that your "granny" is okay as I will continue to keep her in my prayers and it is such an honor for you to share her story with us, thank you and give her a big kiss from me and my family....Keep up the great work as she is one of the reasons we are where we are right now and I am PROUD of HER!
Page 1 of 2
1
2
 Last


Write your comment below:




microbrother

My humble attempt to express my opinions and observations as a black man on life from the banks of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC to the world community. I share my views in a satirical manner on politics, environmental issues, religion, social interactions, sports and world events.

Member Since: 5/28/2008


 

RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?