MY HOME STATE

I was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia - and I have a childhood friend, Pat, with whom I attended kindergarten, who still lives in the old neighborhood. A lifelong Republican, she was more concerned about getting a Democratic candidate that McCain could beat than maintaining her Republican registration. So she changed her registration to Democratic and voted for Clinton in the primary - that's who she feels sure McCain can beat.

If any of you "out there" followed the primary results the evening of the 22nd, you know that Hillary won in all the Philadelphia suburbs and also in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. I know Pat is a "go-getter" but who knew she had enough clout to get all those wealthy, white-collar Republicans to switch registration and vote for Clinton? Or did they figure it out on their own?

I guess there were those here in New Hampshire who might have heard from Pat because New Hampshire also went for Hillary!!!

Meanwhile, Kay and I visited our Gay friend, Paul, who is dying of pancreatic cancer. He's in a gay relationship and has drawn up all the necessary documents to protect his partner after his death. The same day we visited, Brett, a Lesbian friend who is in the early stages of ALS. She's in a wheelchair a lot of the time but can still manage on crutches and with a walker. Her partner died during the winter and never had any documentation done to protect Brett. They never had a Civil Union either and now Brett's partner's family is selling the house out from under Brett and she has to find a place to go.

I'm so fortunate to have Kay in my life - she thinks ahead and plans for our future together or if one of us is left alone. That's what being half of a same-sex couple means.