Vote.

Writing calms my soul. So here I am on Election Day 2024, writing.

Go figure.

I hate politics. Ads, rhetoric, posturing. Did you know that over 10 BILLION dollars were spent on Political Ads this year? Goodness gracious I could have spent that money in more productive ways, but I am wandering away from my own point since I’m feeling a bit all over the place this morning.

I will ask this:

What if we based our decisions on what causes our campaigners supported instead of how many degrading ads they ran?

When I was young, I used to go to the polls with my mom. Every election day my dad wrote a little list showing how he wanted my mom to vote. Seriously. If you know you know. He told her that if she didn’t vote the way he did, she would simply be canceling out his vote. She took the list and quietly stuffed it in her pocketbook.

And off we went to stand in line at the polls. At the time there were curtains you closed so you could vote in private. My mom would go behind the curtain. One day before she stepped in, I asked her, “Are you voting for the people dad said you should vote for?” My mom leaned down and whispered, “I am casting MY vote.”

This simple and profound lesson from my mom rings in my heart every time I vote. I hear her say, “I am casting my vote.”

I voted early this year. I like that option. It’s better than hours in line. It was easy to vote. And my choice was an easy one. I’m very clear on the person I want to lead America. I still respect anyone’s decision even though the thought of voting for someone who makes fun of his non supporters (even those with handicaps) and incites violence after an election is hard for me to comprehend, I still respect everyone’s right to vote. I long for the days when what I want and what you might want is not a decisive issue, simply a personal choice. Maybe those days are now gone forever.

We will likely go to bed tonight still not sure who will oversee America for the next four years.  The race is just that close. I’m writing to remind myself that goodness often prevails. And America will find a way no matter the outcome. At my age, I’ve voted in quite a few presidential elections. I have voted for the person’s character most times since I feel that integrity is a good predictor of action.

Let’s all be kind in the days in front of us. Let’s make our own choices as if it matters to us personally. It really does. Let’s find Grace for those we disagree with. And compassion for ourselves and others during this decisive time.

If you haven’t voted yet, please do. Be a part of this country’s democracy. Close that imaginary curtain and VOTE for who you truly, truly believe in. I might disagree with you. You might disagree with me, but I hope we can all agree that voting matters.

P.S. I feel the need to say this out loud even though I never share much about my political views online or even in person, I’m 100% with Harris and Waltz. I’ve watched in earnest at how she’s handled herself and I see both Harris and Waltz as people with integrity. And I believe women should have agency over their own bodies. I also believe we live in a Global Society, and we need leaders who are respected globally. I also tried super hard to say that without disrespect for the other side. I really think we all need to do more of that. Anyway, VOTE. JUST VOTE.