My little election day story

[pjthompson]

I had to leave work early this afternoon for a doctor's appointment at UCLA (and one never knows how long that will take), so I decided to get up extra early and go to the polls. I got there at 7:10 and the line was out the door and down the block, but not too bad. Maybe a hundred people or more? It got longer as I waited. Young, old, in-between, many colors. I waited maybe a half hour to vote.

But with all that's been going on in the last few days, all the people who have made incredible sacrifices of hours of their time in order to exercise their right to vote, I wouldn't have felt that I was doing my duty if I didn't have to stand in some kind of line.

And it was the most amazing thing. Nine out of ten people when they came around the corner and saw the line got smiles on their faces. The people coming out after voting were also smiling and ebullient. People brought their kids, people stopped their cars to take pictures of the line. There was an incredible energy. Just great, and moving, and corny—but so what? It was a day to push aside my cynicism and be corny and to think corny thoughts. I was proud to be an American today.

I hope I'm still in a good mood tomorrow.

Comments

[e-underwood.livejournal.com]

I noticed the same thing when I went to vote. People were smiling! Grinning! They brought their children with them to vote, turning it into a family affair.

Agreed. I, too, hope I am still in a good mood tomorrow.

[pjthompson]

I live in a solidly blue state, so it's hard to tell from the way people were acting what might happen nationally. But I've still never seen anything like it! It was amazing.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I felt that same corny feeling, starting right when I realized I'd have to park a block away and around the corner from my suburban polling station. It's the sense that you can truly sya, "Yes, I am a part of something bigger than me."

[pjthompson]

Exactly! I don't think I've ever felt happy about having to drive around the block looking for parking! But because I inherited my father's parking mojo, on my next trip around a woman pulled out of a place right in front of the polling place, so...God clearly wanted me to vote. ;-)

[bnbalder.livejournal.com]

Yes, you did it! Congrats!

[pjthompson]

Thank you! I'm hung over from the emotional rollercoaster, but so proud and happy.