I found a poem in an old book written about something else. The poem supported the woman's right to vote, I think. Although the word wasn't mentioned, suffragette came to mind. I wasn't sure how to spell it so I looked it up. My dictionary said the word “suffrage” came partly from a word meaning “intercessory prayer” and partly from one meaning “to vote.” Does that mean that when a woman votes she is exercising intercessory prayer? That's funny. Let me tell you why.

I remember back in the early 1940's; World War II was on the horizon and the country was gearing up for war. Mother, still being a Hungarian citizen even though she had been here many years, was declared an enemy alien. That meant she couldn't legally own a gun or a camera. Mother was furious. Her camera was a valued possession. What was she to do? Become a citizen, of course. Mother attended the American history and civics training classes and passed the test for citizenship.

Wonderful. Dad was elated. Now Mother could vote. He careful explained the issues to her. He explained why President Roosevelt was the better candidate. He went through each of the several platforms. Mother couldn't have cared less. His short course in politics went right over her head.

One thing she did understand. She could cancel out his vote. Their relationship was rocky at best with seldom a chance to get something over on him. This was Mother's golden opportunity. She took full advantage of it. Dad never knew but Mother told me what she did. We had many laughs about it over the years.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt did win that election. Dad was so pleased that he and Mother had helped put FDR over the top. Dad never knew that if FDR had lost by one vote, it would have been Mother's fault. There are times you just have to take advantage of the perfect occasion. Mother did.

Yes, intercessory prayer does mean to ask God to intervene in another person's life problems. Mother did intervene, but not in a positive way. Revenge was sweet. She savored every part of it. What would you have done?

This story flies in the face of what being a suffragette means. But it is too good to forget. I have made up for her stand by being politically active most of my life. Mother did value her American citizenship; she just wasn't politically motivated. Sometimes that means taking a different route, if only once. Mother was a precious jewel in my life. She stood up for herself.