Spreading Goodness - Part II

Issue #58

(Please read Part I first, here)

Glen: Have you ever gotten the look from someone answering their door that suggests they believe you’re trying to convert them to a different religion?

You know what I mean. Quizzical at first. Maybe polite for a moment. And then a bit of a sneer, an eye roll, followed by a quick attempt to get you off their porch.

Raj and I got more than a few of those looks Sunday morning as we embarked on our project to beat back political division by handing out donuts to our neighbors.

Except, after those few sneers and eye rolls, we were welcomed with broad smiles and outstretched hands. Mostly outstretched hands because, really, who’s not going to reach for a delicious, moist (and free) donut that comes to their doorstep?

Our point here was to make a statement: At a time of political division and enmity around this country, Raj and I wanted to create a small gesture showing that neighbors can be, well, neighborly even in these tense times.

So we donned our red, white and blue clothing Sunday morning, loaded our arms with boxes of fresh-made Federal Donuts and went door-to-door with our elevator pitch of friendship. Essentially, we proposed that in these divisive times, it’s important to remember what we have in common and that regardless of who you vote for on Tuesday, we will remain your friend.

We visited houses in our Penfield neighborhood displaying yard signs of both presidential candidates. As I said, we were sometimes greeted with skepticism by homeowners weary of endless political canvassing. But once those folks recognized us from hosting 15 years of Pennsylvania’s best block party, their mood generally changed to joy and gratitude.

What did we learn? Raj, I’ll leave it to you to provide more. I mostly learned that if your assortment of donuts includes one with green frosting, those will go first on an Eagles Sunday.

Raj: “Pennsylvania’s best block party” seems like a stretch to me. But, yes, I agree that the relationships we’ve built in this community certainly helped us get a good reception.??

I do have more sympathy now for door-knockers, from turn-out-the-vote-ers to Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s not fun traipsing around the neighborhood for an hour-and-a-half in weather so cold that my frozen thumbs relieved me of my primate credentials (yes, I had trouble buttoning my clothes back home – just try it without using your thumbs).???

There were several highlight moments for me:

- The little kids rushing to the door (with their parents) and the I-can’t-believe-Christmas-came-so-soon look on their faces at the sight of the donuts. It certainly compensated for your grumpiness about seeing holiday-themed TV commercials so early.

- The kids who did not rush to open the door since their parents weren’t around, even when they could see the alluring donuts through the Ring doorbell cameras. Glad to know that our kids are raised well.

- Speaking of Ring doorbells, they were more ubiquitous than Eagles green. One guy even chatted with us from Colorado through that thing. Technology can be marvelous.

- How about the couple on a healthy walk grabbing a donut? I like to think it was our moving speech but, hey, donuts rock. ?

- And, I really appreciated the people who told us that we were doing a good thing and cheered us on to the next house. I love spreading good cheer, and sincerely hope that in the coming days and weeks people will remember that spirit when talking to neighbors who may not agree with them politically.

But you know who I’m most proud of? You, Glen.

People may not know your political passion and concern for the state of the country. They may not realize that it is so strong that you seriously contemplated running for Congress a few years back (and I have no doubt you’d have done a fine job, just as you have during your illustrious career).

But you didn’t let that passion intrude into the spirit of this day.

The first person we ran into understandably assumed we were out for a political reason (canvassing, door hanging, whatever) and started talking politics. And it happened in multiple households.

But you weren’t biting. You drew upon that hard-won experience of dealing with unruly callers on your radio show, and adroitly turned the conversation toward our purpose.

And I think you did that for one reason. Because you knew that’s what I wanted. ??????

Now, that’s a real friend. For that I’m grateful.

Politics is a zero-sum game – for one to win another has to lose. As with any game, to win, focus has to be trained on the opponent’s weaknesses.

But life isn’t a zero-sum game and people aren’t monoliths. Long after the election we’ll continue interacting with our family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. I hope we treat them as the beautiful, multi-faceted beings that we imagine ourselves to be.

So, Glen, what say you we do this all over again in four years?

Glen: Four years? Hey, given how positively this turned out, I’m ready to make it an annual event. Isn’t there a Register of Wills race or something we can focus on in 2025?

Raj: Alright, but it’s got to be scones this time.

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