A 'me first' push to the front of the line

To the young expectant mother who voted at Arlington Heights Village Hall on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 25 - you know who you are.

You're the one who entered a room filled to the brim with senior citizens, many of whom were supported by walkers or canes, a few of whom had companions helping to steady them as they stood quietly in line to exercise their right to vote. All very polite, quietly chatting, patiently awaiting their turn in the booth. Many of them had already waited 20 minutes, 30 minutes or more without complaint. But you entered, signed in and asked to be allowed to go ahead of everyone else, because, well, you're pregnant, and it'd be really hard for you to wait in line. Young, able bodied, spring in your step. You even asked for a voting booth with a chair. When you finished, you walked out of the room without assistance, without apparent physical challenge, and went on your way.

I won't ask if you didn't see that there were others who might have benefitted from assistance. Of course you did. It'd be hard to miss nearly 50 of them, a sea of gray hair and sensible shoes, seniors amiably talking, biding their time in line, not a complaint to be heard. Not one asked to be singled out, not one asked to go ahead of another, not one asked for special treatment. I'm very glad that you voted, and I hope that you continue to do so. But I also wish for you the same display of respect you showed others, most especially when you get to be a senior citizen. Maybe by the time you reach their age, you'll have learned what courtesy and respect really mean, and you'll have dropped the "me first" attitude.

Sally Benson

Arlington Heights