I have always exercised my right to vote.

However, in my entire life, I never imagined I would ever take part in a political campaign in any capacity more than casting my own vote at the polls. I never remember my parents having a political sign in their yard, or going out of their way to support any candidate for any office, other than always making sure to always vote. The predominant lesson on politics learned in my youth is ‘voting is important’.

As an adult, for my entire married, life we had only once put a sign in our yard for an election.. and that was for my sister-in-law’s brother running for sheriff. Family. The first year we moved to this small town 21 years ago, the family asked if they could put a sign in our yard. I have known the man since I was 8 years old, and he’s a good man, so we said of course. He is still sheriff, and ever since our show of support has been in the form of checking the box by his name at the polls.

When we were homeschooling, we went on a field trip to the Republican and Democrat headquarters. And once we went as a family to a rally our friend sheriff was attending. These activities were only to show our children there are options to your personal involvement in politics, even though we personally did not participate in those options.

At home we would discuss issues, candidates, elections, citizenship, rights, all the things you think about before you vote, as an American. We did not always have the same conclusions or convictions or vote for the same candidates. Many times we agreed to disagree. We may not like the outcome of every election, but we know there will be another one eventually. I guess I am just a hopeless idealist, and have always felt that voting was the most important part of politics. That if we would vote with good intentions based on truth and justice with a foundation of kindness towards all men, that our voice would be heard, and eventually everything will work out for the good of all.

This has been the extent of my personal involvement in politics. Until a few weeks ago.

Our small town is in the fastest growing county of our state. That growth is finally bumping at our borders. With growth comes change. I have seen the changes creeping closer to home. The once sleepy little highway that connects our downtown to the rest of the world is becoming an interstate. Zoom, zoom, zoom. We will have exit ramps and oversized roundabouts and access roads instead of stoplights and stop signs, a constant flow of zooming traffic passing by instead of an off beat rhythm of stop and go. In our town many old, years abandoned, houses have been demolished. New town homes, with sidewalks and proper drainage systems have popped up in their place. There is a 40-plus unit subdivision planned for the the edge of town, a mere two blocks from Manriquez Casa. A Dollar Tree/Family Dollar combo was built on the edge of town, next door to the Dollar General. (I kid you not.) Growth has come and change is happening.

We have had the same mayor for 22 years.

It has been great! Our mayor was born and raised here, we would see him around town. He was invested in our town because it is his home. He has his strengths, and weaknesses like all men. Some vital things were not taken care of in a timely manner, like sewage. There are people in town who can’t flush their toilets after a substantial rain. It is not one man’s fault, by any means. The town can not predict the future. But it is what it is. Our town needs more help, new energy, another change.

I found out an acquaintance was running for mayor. His family goes to our church and I have befriended his wife working together with her on various ministries. They are both diligent servers, community supporters, and posses a commendable work ethic. They are planners. Accomplishers. When I found out the news I asked what I could do to help. I didn’t think twice. I was immediately committed. I did not take time to reflect what it would mean. I moved with instinct.

Never would I ever have imagined myself helping to hand write letters to be mailed to my neighbors, asking them to come out to the polls and cast their vote for change. Never would I ever imagine myself sitting outside at the polls almost the entire Election Day, not pouncing on my neighbors as they come to vote because people usually know who they are voting for ahead of time, only staying there out of excitement and to support our hopefully new mayor. I was just there… surprised to be there experiencing this new part of community involvement. With every letter I prayed, God’s will be done. When each person came to vote I prayed for them to vote with heart and mind.

I did not know what to expect for the day, I only knew I wanted to be there and be supportive.

It was a struggle to not get too excited and start wishing the outcome, we were all too nervous to predict or have confidence that my friend would win the election. We definitely wanted that outcome, but more so we wanted it to be what the community wanted, too! It was a day of open hearted prayers and practice in patience. If our old mayor prevailed, we would not stop serving our community.

I arrived early to vote and visit, then headed to my weekly Sketch Tuesday at the coffee shop. When that event was over I planted myself at the polls and waited. It was a fun, high expectancy day. We were attempting to tally our guesses as to how many votes each way until it got to be too much. The only reports from inside the poll station were on the number of votes total cast. Speculation was that it would be a close one! There was even talk about what to do in the event of a tie. Flip a coin. I am not even kidding, that’s the truth. We jested that it would have been easier to just do that in the first place than to spend all the time and energy and emotions we had spent to get to this day!

The polls closed at 7:30, we were told the results would be known in minutes. Those on the ballet could go into the poll station and await the news. Outside, the crowd grew in number. Many who had come to vote earlier in the day came back to support our friend, whatever the results. Our current mayor’s supporters had gone home, I guess they saw mayor elections like an old comfortable shoe and we were attempting to break in a new pair of hiking boots. We knew if our friend won, there would be proverbial mountains to climb.

We had seen our mayor shake hands and leave. But still did not know the outcome, still hesitant to speculate, we were constantly reloading the results page on our phones. A man came out and asked “Do you want to know the results?” to which we all excitedly said “YES!” he grinned and said “We have a new mayor!” CHEER! Happy tears. Confirmation. Release of pent up patience and emotions. Celebration. Hugs and smiles.

The average number of votes that are cast for a mayoral election in our small town, of approximately 1,371 souls, is a measly 95 in total. I guess that is understandable when you have had the same mayor for 22 years with only one vaguely remembered opponent in those years. This Tuesday, however was different. Our current mayor received 154 votes. A landslide compared to past years. His opponent received a whopping 234 votes. Stunned.

This impromptu personal dive into local politics caused me to do much thinking and reflection.

Over the last several years, post homeschool mom life, I have made a point to become more active in this community, more connected to my place in this world. (Reading Wendell Berry will make you more aware of that need.) Our home is in downtown of this small town. In the heart of the community, in walking distance to church, library, drug store, hardware store, auto parts store, auto repair store, salon, florist, coffee shop, bistro, gift store, eye doctor, post office, and even funeral home. I live my days in the few blocks surrounding Manriquez Casa. If I can stay in town to accomplish an errand or task, I choose to do so, even when I would have more options elsewhere. I purposely spend my community service energies within the confines of my small town, which means I say no to many opportunities outside of town in order to be free to serve at home. This town IS home and it is important to me.

I have failed in one crucial area as a citizen in this community.

I had been supporting by living and existing here in town, but I was not aware of the decisions being made for the town- for ME as a citizen- by our elected officials, the mayor and commissioners. I did not even realize that citizens could attend the monthly board meetings where decisions about MY HOME are being made. I want to be ‘in the know’ about what is happening in my town, and if the need arises to be able to share my voice and outlook as a resident of downtown. I made a personal commitment to attend as many, all if possible, town meetings. Also, I made a commitment to join a group of citizens who have formed a ‘Community Action’ group that serves our community, boots on the ground.

I have been writing this for weeks, snatching moments to gather my thoughts. Today is Wednesday before thanksgiving. Friday I leave for a missions trip to Uganda. The day after I come home will be a town meeting where our friend will be sworn in as the new mayor. I will be there. We, as a community will be honoring our mayor of many years at a community gathering in December. I am optimistic. Changes are coming, but if we work together we can keep the small town with a big heart essence of our community.