I voted for Barack Obama!

Standing in line. Polls opened at 7:00 a.m. I was there at 6:40 a.m. and already a line of 100 were there.

Life partner met me soon after and brought us a mug of coffee to share.

Excitement was palpable. People were talking to one another, smiling, laughing, and happy. As we stood in line Obama volunteers distributed fliers explaining how to vote. Some people had brought their very young children with them, and were explaining the procedure and showing them who they were going to vote for. Even the children seemed excited. We entered the polling booth and I cast my ballot. I have to admit, tears of excitement were streaming down my cheeks as I stood alone in that booth.

Here I am, after voting: Amandla!

The Obama volunteers generously took a picture of me and life partner after we cast our ballots. Today, at 7:30 a.m., we voted for Barack Obama.

And, as we drove off, I sent text messages to my two sisters in Israel: "I voted for Barack Obama!" 

And now, I pack my bags, not forgetting to take my Obama Cookies from the Night Kitchen Bakery, and head out to Dallas for a conference. 

(I have some books to sign, and presentations to make) 

As Sky said in her comment: "... and there will be some dancing in the streets tonight!" 

And when I return home on Saturday, I will have participated in electing: 

President Barack Obama.

Comments

[Fay]

I can't stop watching that wonderful speech in Chicago.

[ainelivia]

Congratulations; we stayed awake all night like two kids watching the results come in. When we realised that Barack had won, we were cheering; the cats were a little bemused at why the humans were awake and making noise I think. Wonderful, just wonderful. Am so full of joy and excitement it's hard to coherently type anything. Big Hugs

[MaryB]

Yea! We did it!

[Danny]

YAY!! I'm waiting for Leah to get out of school so I can take her with me to vote. The only downer in our state is the likely passage of the hateful Proposition 8. But what a great day! My sister and her husband were invited to the VIP section at tonight's huge rally in Chicago. They're sitting in the same row as Al Gore and Oprah and are taking their two sons (12 and 8) to witness history firsthand. Woo-hoo!! You were the first die-hard Obama supporter that I ever knew and I remember at the beginning how disheartened you were because you didn't think he could win in this country. You must be dancing through the aisles of your plane. (Of course I will breathe easier once the election is called!)

[Claudia]

Whooo hooo! Good for you--wish I'd remembered to bring a camera when I voted early, in an attempt to shed some of this pre-election insanity.