I've been feeling pretty down on Democratic Underground since July 2. The rush to judgment on the Mexican election and willingness to believe anything, provided it comes from someone perceived as "left," the willingness to sacrifice one of the most democratic election systems on the planet for the sake of having another stolen election, whether it has been proven or not, the widespread absence of critical thinking, when it won't push the agenda, well, it first infuriated and then depressed me. I wondered if the place I'd called home online for three years was lost.

But then came this post from OKNancy, a Clark supporter, by the way, and long time moderator at DU. It tells me: DU is okay and I've been doing a little rush to judgment myself.

I just had one of those moments. I thank DU

-snip

My mind says.. Cedars. Worried. They are Lebanese!

I paid for my groceries and my once weekly flower bouquet. I buy one per week because it is my gift I give myself. They make me happy.

I kept thinking to myself that I wished I had offered my best wishes to the couple. I feared bothering them.

As I went out to load my van, their car was parked in the front. The woman was sitting in the passenger seat, but her husband was still in the store. I went up to her car, motioned for her to roll down her window. I said, " Are you from Lebanon?" She said yes. I said that I offered my best wishes and that I would be thinking of her and her family. I gave her my flowers.

She got tears in her eyes and said, "My brother's funeral is today in Lebanon. He died of natural causes, but I can't go. She smiled and thanked me for the flowers.

I went on to my van. I saw in the corner of my eye the husband walking toward me. I stopped and he grabbed my hands and said, "We need more people like you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. She is having a hard time." Then he hugged me. A big long open hug out in the parking lot. I've never had such an experience with a hug. He was the same height as me, so it was a very comfortable feeling and I could just feel the warmth. I got tears and he got tears, and then we went on our separate ways.

Thanks, OKNancy. I needed that.