How I Met My Best Friend

By Barbara Cummings

I began calling radio programs a few years ago. Even tried the Limbaugh show a few times which was a bit stressful the first time. It gets easier and if you are prepared, it can be rewarding and fun. No, really.

In the summer of 2004 I was recruiting people to canvass and call for John Kerry. He was not my guy, probably not yours either, but he was what we had. There are never enough volunteers it seems and we were looking for people to go to Yuma AZ to register voters. Have you been to Yuma? The Padres baseball team had spring training there. Spring training, not when it reaches 117 during the day in the summer.

It was my first call to this particular local show and he kept me on hold forever. I almost hung up several times but hated to squander the time investment I had already made. Finally, I got my turn to speak. I invited people to come to where we had a little rally going and were signing up volunteers to go to Yuma.

An hour or so later, this woman walked up to me and said she had been listening to the radio and heard my call. She had been doing errands in another part of the city but after hearing me on the radio felt compelled to come and support our efforts that day.

She stayed until we packed up and helped get everything put in the cars. We found we had a lot in common and went to dinner at a place close by. Since that day, most people know that when they see one of us, the other is not far away.

Many of us have had drastic life changes since Bush stole the presidency. In my case, many of my before Bush friends have not joined me in the awakening that is the new police state of America. The loss is painful but you must make the best of it.

The up side is that you meet new people who do share your vision and hope. The surprise is that you never know where or when it may happen.