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The Lady w/ the Black Umbrella

Published April 12, 2010  

The Lady with the Black Umbrella

I’m surprised I noticed her at all.

People were carrying signs, shouting slogans and waving to the passing motorists on Hwy 98. The vast majority of citizens passing by in their cars and trucks were honking their horns and giving the “thumbs up” in solidarity to our cause. I was overwhelmed with that special camaraderie one feels when they find they are among others who are as passionate about Liberty as they are.

Still…., when I noticed her, I was strangely moved by the absurdity of her presence. “How old is she?” I asked myself. She slowly moved across a stretch of grass headed for the sidewalk that held throngs of demonstrators. We were protesting the latest attack on freedom and liberty by our government, the Cap and Trade Bill.

She had already made it across the asphalt parking lot and was negotiating the last stretch of broken ground with the assistance of her walker. Carrying a black umbrella to provide her with shade, she clutched her walker, her umbrella, and her hand lettered sign as she struggled along. “Jeees, it must 95° or hotter”, I remember thinking. “What in the world is she doing out in this heat?”

I lost sight of her as she blended into the crowd and took her place on the sidewalk about a hundred yards away. I didn’t think much more about till one of the Bay Patriots came up to me and told me there was an elderly lady who wanted to meet me. As President of the organization I am always humbled to think that someone would want to meet me. I am, after all, of no special importance. Just a regular guy who’s concerned about his country.

I followed them down to where the lady was waiting and was excited to see it was the women with the black umbrella. I introduced myself and she told me her name was Jane. I could tell the heat was working pretty heavily against her and I asked if she would like me to get her some water. “No”, she replied…. “I’m fine.” “I do have something for you, though”. She began to pull some money out of her pocket and tried to hand it to me. “What’s this for?,” I asked. “I want to join Bay Patriots and help support your cause. Here is my membership fee.”

By that time two other Board Members of Bay Patriots were standing beside me, listening in. I looked at them and then told Jane that we weren’t going to accept her money…..  we were going to give her an honorary membership. I didn’t ask the other board members for permission because I already knew what their answer would be. The smiles on their faces were answer enough. As I began to get her information for our records I asked her a question. “Ms. Jane, I know a gentleman doesn’t ask a lady her age, but if you wouldn’t think it too rude, may I ask how old you are?” “Not at all”, she replied. “I’m 75.”

I stayed with Ms. Jane till the rally broke up and tried to help her to her car. “No thanks”, she said, “I’ll be just fine”. And with that, she left.

It’s been a few days since I met her and I still can’t get her out of my mind…. 75 and struggling through the heat of that day to protest her government’s conduct. Ms. Jane shouldn’t be out on sidewalks in 95° heat, breathing hot diesel fumes from trucks. She should be in a nice air conditioned living room with visiting children and grandchildren. Not having to wave signs of protest against an out of control government.

It got me to thinking about you, my fellow citizens. I get a lot of calls from you. They go something like this…. “We just want you to know what a great job Bay Patriots is doing! Thank goodness someone is finally saying something about the direction our country is headed. I would love to come to some of your meetings but Tuesdays are bad for me. It’s just so hard with the kids and all. There’s soccer and tennis and by the end of the day we’re just so tired. But I support you guys and want you to know I’m with you.”

I appreciate the calls. I appreciate the emails. I appreciate how busy you are, I honestly do. But I wonder who’ll step up and take Ms. Jane’s place? I wonder who’ll take her place so she can rest at home instead of being out in those conditions.

You see….Ms. Jane senses the urgency. She knows the clock is ticking. She knows our future is probably counted in months instead of years.

Maybe it’s her age. Maybe it’s what her eyes have seen.

Who’ll take her place?

Derrell Day

Bay Patriots

Aug. 2009

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