Grab some popcorn or a glass of grape juice *wink* I'm about to tell you the story of a man and his morning walks.

There is this great human being who born on a snowy day in December of the 1920's. He's unlike anyone else I've ever known, so strong and experienced. He has seen the world for what it is, what it has been, and what it is capable of. A personality apart from everyone else of which I admire and aspire to weave bits of it into my own. He was named after an ass (Jeremiah the Donkey) but he sure isn't one. He grew up on a farm and graduated high school with just a handful of people in his class. He lived in war, under green canopied trees and dirt beds and empty canteens and bloodied hands. He made a life back at home after war. He worked 7 days a week for hours on end, with hands rough and tattooed with grime to signify the efforts put in. He walked every morning for miles while all of the city was still asleep. He married a woman who had 4 children and a history that could fill up a novel, and he loved her unconditionally.

The Democrat and The Republican.

They spent the last parts of their lives together. Her, being the loving mother and grandmother to all her kin, always overloading christmas stockings and hiding a few extra easter eggs down low so the little kids would find them. Him, watching football with the sons, uncles, nephews, and grandkids, then exercising his ritual walk each morning before the sun made its' appearance. Her, watering the plumerias that reminded her so of the little island in the pacific that she never wanted to leave. Him, mowing the lawn and pulling the weeds out from around her beautiful gardens. Them, coming to every single volleyball, basketball, football, soccer, and cheer game that they could to cheer on their babies babies and say "Good game sweetie! You were the [fastest, loudest, strongest, quickest, most wonderful] player out there!". Them, being there for every birthday and graduation. Them, loving their family the exact same-with all their heart and attention. Them, showing us what a relationship looks like where people put political differences aside and L O V E anyways.

So which one was The Democrat?

She passed away sooner than anyone was prepared for. And then it was just Him. He, came to the rest of the graduations, plumeria leis in hand to signify the lack of her, but also to remind us that she was present. He, sat for lunch with the family every Saturday at the same restaurant with the same waitress and his 5-cheese pizza with extra garlic. He, still walked for 3 miles every morning while the birds still slept in their nests. He walked because life chose for him to stay on this planet despite war and loss. He walked because it clears your mind and allows you to be alone in your thoughts. He walked simply because he could. However, I finally can make up my own reason for why he walks...

He's not done with his life journey.

He's a young soul and he's an old soul. He's a lover of all people. He will reply, "You're Welcome." when someone says, "Thank you for your service.", but then he'll let you know that he hopes to never see war again. He loves this life for what it was and what it is. I think he mostly loves sharing his mind with his grandkids. I mostly love listening to him, especially when he says things like this,

"This wasn't the outcome that I had hoped for this election, but I will hope for a successful presidency-that means success for this nation. But you, you keep speaking for those who won't be heard. We only reach success if it is inclusive of A L L of O U R people. You were always the smart one, I always knew that. **Whispers** I hope you stay a Democrat."

He's walking to see a better future for his grandkids, but he walks with all people of life. He see's no color and he see's no sexual orientation and he see's no reason that a man have any advantage over a woman in the workplace. He see's love. He loves the Socialist. He loves the Libertarian. He loves the Liberal. He loves the Conservative.

He loved a Republican and she loved a Democrat. He loves, and whether he knows it or not, he has lived to teach love and I have payed attention.

Moral of the story, if you have someone in your life similar to the man who walks each morning, learn from their history and open your ears to their words. They hold the world in their minds, ask them to share it.

To my man who walks each morning-I love you and I am and always will be, listening.