Wreaths are a beautiful reminder of the importance of taking time to celebrate and gather together, regardless of your faith. They are welcoming symbols of belonging and joy. It was with that sense of belonging and joy that I decided to host a local gathering at our bookstore here in Traverse City, MI for people interested in learning more about the Pete Buttigieg campaign.

I just happened to know a professional wreath-maker: Sherri Glezman. On Friday I found myself meeting up with Sherri, better known as Chasten Buttigieg’s mom, and her dog who had handmade us a Pete-themed wreath.

To be honest, I don’t think the dog helped much, though she certainly liked a good scratch.

I went with my family to pick it up. I have a nearly five-year-old who is sometimes shy around adults, but he was excited to come along. Chasten’s mom was so kind and open and exuded a wholesomeness that filled their polebarn. My kiddo was instantly taken with her. Kids know goodness. My kiddo instantly saw the same kindness and trust I see kids everywhere give to Pete and Chasten on the campaign trail on all the videos I’ve watched. I also see them give it back. Meeting with Sherri, it was clear she was one of the places where they get their energy and compassion.

Driving home with the wreath, I sorta pinched myself. I just got a donated handmade wreath from the mother-in-law of a top-tier presidential contender! But then I remembered this wasn’t about my ego, but about the event I was hosting in two days. I needed to get home and start to organize.

I had no idea what to expect. This was my first time doing anything like this. I didn’t know how many people would show up. It hadn’t been advertised much, since it was pretty short notice. The bookstore said they had capacity for 50 people, but I only had commitments from 3. I also knew Chasten’s family wanted to stop by and meet local Pete supporters and say hi, but I couldn’t advertise that fact because they didn’t want media.

What if nobody came? What if everybody came?

Why did I decide to do this!?

For Pete. This was for Pete.

The next day rolled around, and my kiddo helped me collate the papers for the event. We were going to have a free raffle for the wreath, and he did all the scissor work by himself and even suggested cutting three sheets at once to speed up the process. His discipline there was amazing, and he kept at it until the job was done. If my kiddo could do this, so could I.

Finally, it was the day of the event and I was excited and nervous. I’ve never been a political organizer before. But I needed to be bold (Rule of the Road number 5). So I wrote an intro with the intention of just having a quiet discussion with a few people around a coffee table.

I planned for us to all speak our truth about issues that interested us, and I would provide some resources to others who wanted to get involved locally. I showed up early and started to set up the space. Two other people showed up, and with our teamwork we were ready ahead of time. And then the three of us were just like: is this everyone? The clock was starting to tick in my mind.

Then they started to trickle in. First one.

Then a couple.

Then four more.

One was just walking down the sidewalk, didn’t know about the event but saw someone with a Pete button, asked about it and she recruited him on the spot.

Pretty soon we had 20 people!

After a brief introduction I settled the group down. I wanted to make sure I had substance (Rule of the Road number 7) for this event, so we started with a reading of Pete’s Rules of the Road. They are his guidepost for how the campaign and volunteers should operate. I had printed out copies of the Rules from his website (PeteForAmerica.com) and passed them around. It was a great icebreaker as different people read each rule out loud and it also set the tone for the whole afternoon. It made everyone remember the responsibility that comes with advocating for a candidate, as our actions can reflect on the person we support.

It also helped people get engaged and feel like they were participants and not just audience members.The conversation that ensued was wonderful and inclusive. People asked lots of great questions, shared their experiences, and we ended up with some new sign-ups for local volunteers. We also had a pretty distinguished group including: a local mayor; a member of our local Democrats organization; a former professor from Notre Dame; a former national speech writer for the George McGovern campaign; and a leader within a local Native American tribe.

And when Chasten’s parents stopped by, they received a round of applause!

Everyone who entered the raffle also left their name and email. One other participant spontaneously bought a copy of Pete’s memoir “Shortest Way Home” as a second raffle item. (We were at a bookstore, after all!) My kiddo stepped up and drew the winner from a hat.

The time seemed to fly by. When the meet-up ended, we all left happy and excited and ready to meet again and bring more people.

It was emotional to meet and find local Pete Supporters. And it was amazing. I held it together the whole time. Until the end.

I have frequented this local bookstore since before I could even read. My grandma used to take me there. As I was cleaning up and checking out with the bookstore from our event, the manager said, “I remember you from when you were just as tall as your kiddo is now. It meant so much to your grandma that you were excited about learning and books. I think she would be proud of you today.” And then I lost it.

Did I sit in my car and cry and think about my grandma and the times we shared at that bookstore?

Yes I did.

And did I think how great it is to unite new and old friends and start to build a new kind of politics?

Yes I did.

Do I think Pete and Chasten Buttigieg are up to that challenge nationally?

You’d better believe it.

We can do this when we remember the human connections that bind us together: even the one from a bookstore owner from 30 years ago. Reach out. People are there.That is the key to this whole campaign. We can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch the chaos. It’s time to get out of our comfort-zones and get involved.

I didn’t think I knew what I was doing (I still don’t exactly know!), organizing a meet-up and a raffle for an unknown number of people. But I put myself out there, and I made new friends and new connections, and I strengthened the campaign for Pete. Pete for America is a campaign built on excellence (Rule of the Road number 9) and joy (Rule of the Road number 10), and it deserves nothing less from us.

Jess Piskor

Volunteer for Pete at www.peteforamerica.com