A friend of mine voted yesterday

[UpInArms]

and she only voted for one office on the ballot ... Joe Biden for president

I have known her for 15 years ... and over those years, she has been very vocal with me about why she has not voted since the 80s ... votes don’t matter and caring about elections only distress her because her vote doesn’t count.

I, on the other side of that fence, have tried to explain that our vote is our only voice and it is our duty and responsibility, as citizens, to always care to exercise our voice and vote.

Some of those many conversations have ended with me in tears for her obstinate refusal. A couple of years ago, we ended the conversation with “we just won’t discuss it any more” ... because I value her friendship and that is not the hill I want to lose it on.

This summer, my beautiful wonderful dog died (suddenly, of an aneurysm) and my heart has been broken ... I still weep and miss her terribly ...

My friend called me one day and asked if she could do ANYTHING to make it better ...

I replied “VOTE for Biden”. She said she would have to think about it, as it really went against her “beliefs”.

Yesterday, she called and told me she just came back from the courthouse from voting.

My heart still hurts, but I am so glad that my friend felt it was important enough to be a part of helping to make our world better.

My Lily

[Maeve]

1. So sorry about your dog

But it sounds like she gave you one last gift

[UpInArms]

6. Lily was a gift

My beautiful deaf sheltie ...

I updated to add her picture

[Maeve]

9. What a sweetie!

Again, sorry for your loss

[UpInArms]

10. Thank you, Maeve

[TruckFump]

2. Beautiful story.

Thank you for posting. So sorry about your dog.

[FM123]

3. What a heartwarming story

to have a friend help heal your heart and the nation's heart with one simple act of voting.

[MontanaMama]

4. Please accept my condolences

on the loss of your beloved dog. Losing a pet companion is brutal by any measure and when it isn’t expected it is even worse. I’m so sorry.

[UpInArms]

8. Lily was my giant white life qtip

The one who always wiped the world’s troubles from my heart ...

I was never alone with her by my side ...

Thank you for caring

[Hugin]

5. I'm sorry to hear about your doggie.

At least one good thing came of it.

[ebbie15644]

7. I'm so happy and sad at the same time

I'm happy that your friend put her grief into something positive and I believe this will help her get through her grief. I'm sad she lost her beloved dog, it's so hard and give her an extra hug from me

[niyad]

11. I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Lily. May the Lady of the ?Beasts send you healing and

comfort.

Thank you for sharing this very important part of your life with us.

[UpInArms]

14. Thank, dear niyad

[TruckFump]

12. Beautiful, just beautiful

What a sweetheart. I am a dog person and I love my dogs forever. Miss each one I have lost but love the 4-legged person in my life just as much. I know I will have them with me again someday.

[UpInArms]

16. She was my special girl

and spent every day with me ... went to work with me ... slept under my desk for 7 years ... until I sold the newspaper... she thought she was fired afterwards ... kept asking me why we were staying home ... but learned to love our days just being here ... and, now, the house seems so empty

[TruckFump]

37. Lost a special girl 3 years ago.

I miss her so much. She was such a little person. People would stop to see her just to talk to her. They would say how much better their day was after visiting with her.

Gawd, I understand how you feel. So sorry.

[UpInArms]

38. ...

[irisblue]

13. Lily. 🕯️

I'm glad your friend listened

[seta1950]

15. 😢😭

I’m so sorry

[mountain grammy]

17. Sweet Lily..that face 😥

Pure love. Glad your friend did the right thing.

[PWPippinesq]

18. A beautiful girl and an almost unbearable loss.

I lost two incredible girls, Gabby and Ally, and each time thought I couldn't go through the pain of losing another one. They gave such unconditional love, always greeting me with unadulterated joy. I, again, have two girls, Audrey and Daphne, and revel in their presence, joy, wisdom and, again, unconditional love. I know it will hurt greatly when I lose them, but having them in my life is worth any pain. They bring such joy, keep me grounded during such horrible times and, seeing the world through their eyes, they provide a valuable in the moment perspective. Lily will always be with you. She would want you to have a companion by your side. How wonderful that she was able to get out the vote. Thank you for telling us your story.

[UpInArms]

20. She was my last kiss and hug every night

and my first greeting every morning ...

She had so many friends and admirers... she never knew a stranger ...

My hubby loved taking his “Marilyn Monroe” on his daily walks ...

Our vet called her “The Prom Queen” ...

If you looked up “joy” in the dictionary, you would find Lily

[tavernier]

19. My name is Lily.

But your beloved angel puppy is much prettier than me.

[UpInArms]

21. Thank you, Lily

am so glad there is still a Lily in my world

[tavernier]

24. Always, darling

❤️

[PatSeg]

22. What a lovely dog

I am so sorry, that is such a great loss.

[secondwind]

23. Oh, what a beautiful dog !!! I hope she crossed gently over the Rainbow 🌈 Bridge.

That’s some story there, sounds like you both have a very special bond !!

[UpInArms]

25. She was on a walk

One of her favorite things ... and died in my arms ...

Her wings were instantaneous...

[cp]

26. Beautiful Lily!

Hugs from another dog person. She loved you just as much.

[sarge43]

27. Condolences

They find a way into ours hearts and never really leave.

I love her expression, "Please vote."

for you and a for Lily

[smirkymonkey]

28. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Lily.

Dogs are our angels here on earth, but now she will be your angel in heaven and will always be with you in your heart. The dogs I have lost are always with me. My love for them has never died.

I am so glad your friend cared enough about you to honor your wishes and cast her vote for Biden.

[SunSeeker]

29. Bless you and Lily.

[SheltieLover]

30. So sorry to hear of your loss! 💔

What a beautiful Sheltie Queen!

I truly hope you find peace in your precious memories until you are reunited.



PS: Thank you for getting her to vote.

[karin_sj]

31. She is beautiful!

And her eyes are so intelligent and soulful. I'm so sorry for your loss of this sweet girl. Your picture really got to me as we lost our 15-year-old German shepherd in May. It's hard losing a beloved pet anytime, but losing one during this pandemic adds another layer of sadness to everything else there is to be sad about right now when you really could use the comfort of their presence.

Although it does get a little better with time, we are still grieving and we mostly just miss her so much. So happy that you have such a wonderful friend who did something so important for you.

[StarryNite]

32. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story.

Lily was beautiful! She's with you still, you know. I don't mean just in your memories or photos, I mean she is there on a level we cannot see. Believe

[Upthevibe]

33. UpInArms....

..............What a beautiful story....I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful furry baby..... Having said that, what a wonderful gift she gave you and all of us by being the catalyst for your friend to vote.

You're awesome that you told your friend what would help you during this time.....Thank you...

[gratuitous]

34. I've decided my argument to those who decline to vote

First off, good for your friend for casting at least one ballot. I'll take it.

My argument to the "my vote doesn't matter" or "voting is a waste of time" bunch is, "I've seen some of the people who are determined to vote, and I don't want to live in a country under their unopposed rule. They are, not to put too fine a point on it, seriously deranged."

[UpInArms]

36. Those were my arguments with her for years

and she was unmoved ... she is truly a lovely wonderful human in so many ways and there was no way that I could want to lose her as my friend

Her voting for Joe was a gift to me ... as I have felt so hopeless with the unending losses of 2020 ... 220,000 human souls sacrificed to a pandemic made worse by trump’s madness and meanness...

losing my Lily is truly another painful slice of my soul ...

That my friend wishes for me to have hope and crossed her “line” to do so by voting ... I can only hope there are many others who will be voting to end this terrible time in our country.

[Meowmee]

35. So sorry for your loss of Lily

She is gorgeous.. what a sweetheart❤️ Run free sweet girl 🌈🐾💕