A refreshing conversation

The girls and I escaped to the air conditioning of the mall today -- you can only stay inside for so long playing board games and reading. As we pulled into the parking space, I realized that I was right next to a car driven by a U.S. veteran with obviously different ideas than mine. The car had at least 25 very conservative bumper stickers. Some of the usual ones -- Republican candidate for fill-in-the-blank, and pro-gun rights -- but some were ones I had never seen before. Some sounded a bit angry, some with foul language, and some were just downright mean. Needless to say, I was nervous parking the mommy-mobile with the Obama and "Books not bombs" stickers next to it. So nervous, in fact, that I memorized his plate number should I return and find my tires slashed.

As we walked toward the entrance, a man was coming toward us with a VietNam vets shirt and cap, with accompanying hat pins. I decided to risk it and I told him that I thought I might be parked next to him. He knew exactly what I was talking about. I told him how much I appreciated the freedom I had to even have bumper stickers and was glad that he exercised his right to cover his car with whatever he wanted. Right from the get-go I let him know that I was somewhat more politically liberal than he is, and he let me know where he stood especially when it comes to the candidates for president. But we had the nicest conversation and stood there in 105-degree heat for about 10 minutes! We even shook hands and introduced ourselves. We actually ended up discovering several things (more important than politics) we had in common.

In a climate where many things are expressed in terms of "us vs. them," I was giddy that I could have a conversation with a total stranger about things that matter to us and about which we totally disagree, and still shake hands and say "pleasure to meet you." For a few brief moments, we saw beyond the bumper stickers and were just fellow human beings. Imagine that.