The Trash Bags of Mercy

BY GLORIA E.

The San Marco area was already very soggy when I started canvassing, with lots of puddles and lots of mud.  I don't mind being out in a little bit of rain - with a rain hat on my head and a rain jacket spread over the campaign literature I was carrying.

But at around 5:00 pm, I got caught in a torrential downpour.  Fortunately, I could sit on the staircase of a pleasant apartment building, looking out at it, talking on the phone and reviewing email. 

 The residents--only four on that stairwell--asked me if they could help as they passed, and I answered I'd just wait 'till it let up. But, it never did.  At one point, I had been waiting for more than an hour. I was having a conversation with a young woman, and explained I didn't mind if I got wet, but I didn't want to ruin all of my campaign literature, which was paid for by donations, and the quantities are always limited. 

She came back downstairs with three garbage bags.  Two were enough to keep the campaign materials, my purse and my

phone, dry, and after thanking her profusely, I left through the rain and the greatly enlarged puddles.  I got to my car and safely home. 

But, like the washcloth of mercy (see previous blog) I will never forget the kind and resourceful person who provided those trash bags.