This morning, I woke up at the butt crack at dawn to go to the gym (I'm trying to get my motivation back). I usually only see a handful of people at this early hour but on 83rd and Second, I stumbled upon a whole crowd of men and women, waiting in line in the dark, like there was a Manolo Blahnik sample sale going on at 6 am in the morning. But no, this was not an episode of Sex and the City. These people were in line to VOTE, and they were standing there quietly and patiently, with little smiles on their faces. A truck drove by and the driver screamed out the window, "OBAMA!"
I was totally blown away.
An hour later, on the way back, the line had wrapped around the block. Three streets of lines people! I have voted in three presidential elections before and usually it is a walk-in, walk-out affair. Today it took me 30 minutes to vote, which I hear is not bad. Others waited in line for hours. And then you can consider, New York is always overzealous about everything--politics are no exception. But no, this was happening all over the country.
Suddenly, I am living in a country that cares. My generation has always been so apathetic about politics that seeing this kind of patriotism and genuine desire for something better renews my confidence.
As I write this, Obama has just been projected to become the next president of the United States. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to admit, I just burst into tears, I am so happy.
This feeling of joy and excitement has been bubbling nervously in my stomach all day. I feel this huge sense of relief, as if this horrible darkness has been lifted (I'll call this darkness George Bush), and that depression has passed, we can finally move on.
Wow, look at all those people in Chicago! I will never forget this moment in my life. This is something big.
Not only does today make history because we have just elected our first black president, but it is the first election that my own mother voted! (I told my mom, either do your patriotic duty and vote Obama or just don't even bother.) She bothered. I am proud of our country (and my mom) for making the right choice.
Dan, who has been spending his weekends campaigning for Obama in swing-state Pennsylvania, who I have listened to speak non-stop about this presidential race for the last two years, is hanging out with his poker buddies tonight as he does every Tuesday night. And in his usual fashion, he has left his cell phone at home, and so I cannot even call him and share our bliss together. Oh, Dan!
His phone is ringing off the hook, by the way.
I am very proud of Dan. Seeing his passion and determination through this election and, especially in the last few weeks, watching him delve himself into something he believes in was very inspirational--why I could just marry him.
Happy Election Day, everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment