I voted today. I would never have imagined how emotional I would become. I knew I wanted to take advantage of early voting, and quite frankly I felt the need because I had been encouraging my radio listeners to do the same. I made up my mind during church that immediately following the service I would head on down to the Election Commission Office downtown and do my civic duty.
I was immediately encouraged by the warm spirit of patriotism and unity that met me there. I'm sure there were people who were supporters of all the major political parties present, but you would never know where most stood on party lines. There were entire families that came in to vote together. As I was leaving a church van full of people had arrived to vote. This gives you a sense of how important this election is to people and how historic this election is.
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the Election staff and poll watchers who were on hand. They were friendly and helpful with smiles in abundance. I know it may sound like a cliche, but I think we all felt like we were a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
I felt myself tearing up in the car on the way there and I made myself keep it together until after I voted. The tears began to fall as soon as I left the building. Anyone who knows me knows that I do not cry easily. I am pretty even tempered and for the most part cool calm and collected. I think I got that from my great-grandmother who raised me. I was emotional in part because as I prepared myself for church this morning I watched Meet the Press to see the much anticipated interview with Gen. Colin Powell. His heart-felt endorsement left me speechless and not for the obvious reason. I was so moved because of the thought and care that was taken in his decision. It was not an easy decision and he knew that he was breaking the heart of a dear friend with his endorsement, but yet he had to do what he felt was best for the future of his Country. (Let me take this moment to make it clear that I am not telling you who to vote for, all I care is that you be a part of the political process and vote.)
I am also thankful to community activists such as Helen King who have taken countless hours to get thousands of Central Illinois residents to register to vote and are transporting people to take advantage of early voting. A lady at the Election office shared with me that she has seen people register and vote that have never voted in their entire lives, and stories of people that haven't voted since the '60's because they had become cynical about the political process. We are blessed to have such everyday heroes in our community.
Please vote, regardless of who you vote for. I also ask that you take the time to make an informed decision. Look beyond age, color, gender or even political affiliation to find the candidate that you feel has the best agenda for the welfare of your family and this great nation.
It's getting late and I am starting to ramble. LOL I'll close now with the reminder that the thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are mine and mine alone and not necessarily shared by the management and staff of WVEL or Regent Broadcasting. I am grateful, however, to be given the opportunity to share with you. They know I am opinionated and that I don't mind being transparent in sharing my thoughts. :-)
God bless you and God bless America.
Love,
J
