Vote!

I voted today. I've voted in every election except one since I was old enough to vote. Today was different, can't tell you why or what triggered the feelings I experienced today as opposed to other years, but it was almost overwhelming. Hopefully if I spill my blog guts I can explain it to both of us. The line was long, of course I happened to go during lunch hour, doh! I shuffled my feet and listened to the older couple behind me complain about the line. I felt myself silently pulled into their complaint and felt annoyed. Looking at the crowd I was sure most of them were voting against my candidate and I wondered if my vote would matter anyway. I fought with myself and almost got out of line to come back later, if ever. In front of me stood a girl, maybe 18 or 19 (I'm sure it was her first time), she came alone, looked nervous but excited. So I decided to ignore ma and pa grumpybear and just enjoy the experience that only comes a few times in our lives.

The Early voting was held at the Ice Sheet (a new ice rink opened for the last winter Olympics here in Utah), and the line wrapped around the upper floor of the rink. A single woman was skating, tall windows behind her with our Rocky Mountains only yards away painted in autumn colors. Olympic flags draped the walls and the lights of the arena were low as she skated with her shadow. Chills went through me, through the glass that separated me from the floor made of ice. As she skated the line became quiet and I looked around to find everyone as mesmerized as I was. The virgin voter, ma and pa grumpybear and maybe thirty other voters. An image of the voting lines in Iraq flashed through my mind and I almost choked on the contrast. Iraq, where the voters were surrounded by armed guards to protect their new right to vote.

The right to have a voice, the right to decide who runs this country. As a woman with a great respect for women's suffrage, it would be criminal not to vote. Needless to say, I stayed in line and waited my turn and voted. :)

MSNBC yesterday used the term "the Walmart Women's vote" and so as offensive as that is (Yes I shop there LOL) I guess I have now been classified. Regardless of how we are grouped, we all have an equal say, one vote. One of the only times we are all on the same playing field.

And so like a dork I proudly wore my big red 'I VOTED' sticker for the rest of my errands all afternoon. Be proud, Use your voice, Vote!