We Were "Clinging" Alright...

Barack Obama turns his nose up at people who who cling to their religion. Well, I was fortunate to be among the "Clingons" tonight.

I am already dreading the day that is sure to come soon. . . the day I will walk into my teachers' lounge only to meet face-to-face with some sort of Obama '08 poster on our union bulletin board. In one word, "eek"! Or is it "ick!"

A few months back, Barack made some snide remark to a San Francisco audience about small town people clinging to religion and guns. Words to that effect. It bothered me at the time, but since I no longer consider myself to be "small town", it didn't get as under my skin as it should have.

Well, tonight, it's official, I'm fired up! Our extended family faced a sudden death of a close family member, and I dragged two of the little ones up to my hometown, feeling a sense of obligation to pay our respects.

The deceased had lived a changed life the past few years. In her early days, she loved the sailors, a good party, and was a real rabble-rouser. Two husbands and four children later, her ailing physical state landed her in this same small town to be near grandchildren.

How did her change come about? She looked to the Latter Day Saints Church to help her in a grave time of financial and spiritual need shortly before saying goodbye to one of her own children during his own health issues and subsequent, all-too-early death. The outpouring of support from these perfect strangers changed her.

I learned a lot tonight. About her, about the goodness of people, and about my own, flawed self.

She lived with little means for a long time. In fact, she relied on government assistance for health care. I found myself harboring a sort-of grudge about this lately. I did not "see" her "doing" things to "earn" this benefit, so I resented that my tax dollar paid for it.

Things changed when her friend spoke this evening. A long-haired greying woman in a conservative dress humbly spoke of her dear friend's outreach to those in need of spiritual guidance. She told us about how in the LDS church, teams of women visit and make certain that fellow women are taken care of spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The deceased was doing what she could while on earth to minister to others with needs different from her own. I, of course, didn't SEE this, so I didn't BELIEVE it was happening.

There were dozens of friends from varied lifestyles & walks-of-life whom she had touched, but there was not a dry eye in the place as she was eulogized by three heart-warming speakers.

Although very active in my own faith, the LDS exemplified those who truly cling to their religion, and, in the case of the deceased, sort-of saved her. No, they really saved her. And, in turn, she probably saved others relaying her own past life experiences.

If that's what happens when people stick to their "guns" (pun intended) on religion and faith, then I say, "Hallelujah to ya!" The good done in our fine country has a lot to do with the type of person who isn't flashy, lives among a semi-rural population, might not wear the latest trends, but listens to one's heart and acts in a selfless manner.

God-forbid he become our next president, I hope Senator Obama will realize that he needs to represent them as well. He had better start respecting them soon. There are a lot more small towns that huge metropolises!