It’s election day here in Vermont, just as it is everywhere in the country. Those of us who live in West Pawlet vote at the town hall in Pawlet proper a few miles down Route 30. We’re a rural community and every other time I have voted here, there’s never been a line. This morning, as you can see, we started the morning out the door and into the street. That’s a sign, I think, of the interest and importance people put on this election.

Where I come from in Virginia, Vermont has a reputation as a frightfully liberal state. And I think there is some truth in that, at least when compared to Botetourt Country, Virginia; but as the election season has run it’s course, I’ve found a huge variety of opinions, passionately, but politely held.

I was third in line waiting for the polls to open this morning, so I had a chance to talk to people as we waited. What struck me, is that after all the differences of opinion, all the crazy ads, half truths (on both sides), rabid graphics and other nuttiness that both parties spent so many millions of dollars inflicting on us, our conversation in line was about crops, the weather, what was happening at the church, art work that this or that artist was working on.

The focus was on what bound us together, not what separated us.

For instance, outside the door to town hall were boxes for the food pantry, and many of us had our hands full of boxes and cans to leave off. Above the Food Pantry boxes was a hand made sign from the Pawlet Library offering hot coffee and tea, as well as soups and other foods.

And once I got in, there were more signs of what binds us together. We have a great deal of variety on our ballots here in Vermont. Yes, we have Democrats and Republicans, but we also have an active and viable Progressive Party, a whole slew of independents, many of which are not protest votes, but very viable candidates. (I have read somewhere that the Progressive Party accounts for almost 10% of Vermont voters. Many of the candidates evidently represented more than one party, sometimes as many as three or four parties.  One candidate was listed as the democratic/republican candidate! You don’t see that often in most places. But you do see it here.

Everything was well organized and moved quickly and smoothly, despite the lines. We were all in and out and voted in short order. There were some who gravitated to the library for their cup of coffee. Others stood outside in small groups talking about local news and gossip. No where did I hear anyone talking about Politics.

I don’t kid myself that politics are not important to people here. It was 26 degrees when I left the house this morning. The sun was out, but it was still cold. And they showed up. They stood outside. They voted. It mattered.

I haven’t been here in Vermont that long. And it takes a while for people to open up to you up here. It will be a few years yet before people see me as a part of the community. But even in the short time I have been here, I’ve come to appreciate the underlying passion people here have for life, and for each other.

Voting is an extension of that care for each other. It’s saying “these things are important and I trust these people to carry them out.”. It’s declaring that you care enough to make a difference, to make a stand, but without losing track of the fact that we are all in this together, and that it’s what binds us together that is more enduring than the ideas that separate us.

If you haven’t voted yet, it’s early in the day. I hope you will. Then gather the people close to you and treasure the day, and their love. Be grateful. Find your joy.

Tom