The right to vote

I have the pit in my stomach today as if the world is on the brink of something big. As this has been the most obnoxious political campaign in my 49 years on this planet, I am not surprised. I have debated for the last 2 years on whether I would actually vote at all this year. I have only voted since George W took office (I voted for Gore...and then Obama), I mean, does my opinion really matter? As it turns out, both of the past two Presidents have done a good job by me, especially given the culture they have had to work with.

I decided yesterday that I will in fact vote today. Not because I have a strong feel for any candidate, but because in 1776 some brave people took a stand to make this country not just America but the UNITED States of America. In 1920, so ridiculously brave women stood up and fought for what I  consider normal and expected: equal rights for women, and the right to vote. My great-grandparents moved here in 1920-ish so that I would have these freedoms.

Voting in the US is a right that was earned not so long ago. Our 50 states plus those territories that aren't quite states yet, are so very lucky for the life we live. We have the freedom to choose who we want to lead the country. We have the freedom to believe in who and what we want. We have the ability to work hard and create the life we want. We have it in our power to do good by others and respect everyone as an individual.

I am definitely anxious about what the next 4 years will bring. It's my hope and prayers that whoever wins the majority of the votes today will foster a country of UNITY as we go forward. The chaos and anger that has been growing needs to end. We need to remember just what made our country great in the first place.

Vote if you choose today. Remember that people long ago fought for us to have a democracy and the person with the most votes wins. No matter who ends up our next President, I hope we can stand by our nation and continue to earn respect, and be truly great, by holding each other up vs tearing each other down.