Not enough.
My friends and neighbors have been early voting for weeks. I've been vicariously experiencing their encounters in line, their emotions as they cast their ballots, their great hope for the future of this country. I've been so caught up in it, I felt like I was really part of it.
I almost forgot that I'm not one of them. Until this morning, when it hit me.
If you ever stayed home on prom night, if you ever missed your ride to somewhere wonderful, if you are always the bridesmaid, never the bride, then you know how it feels to be me this election morning, driving past everyone else lined up to cast their vote. A lump lodged itself in my throat at the first polling station en route to school, and it gets lumpier by the hour.
America, I'm so proud to be here today.
But for the first time in over ten years, just being here doesn't feel like enough.
Cherish your vote today. I'll hold your bouquet.
Labels: america
—Kyran, 8:32 AM
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19 Comments:
How strange for you to be immersed in the energy and not able to vote while I am here in England missing the excitement.
I did vote by absentee ballot a few weeks ago, but it was hardly as exciting as standing with hundreds of people all twitching with nervous energy.
I have been writing on my blog about my thoughts regarding Obama and the election and have had some comments back that made me feel a bit more connected. Not all were nice though...there are a lot of angry folks out there.
I'm going to be up all night watching ....fingers crossed, I believe!
In a way I am sorry for you and in a way I wish I was you. I am so undecided that I would love an excuse to skip voting all together. Yet, I know it is my right and resposiblity and I can't gripe about the end result if I don't participate.
I'm actually considering taking my 5 year old with me and letting him pick the name. That's how apathetic I am about our candidates. Sad, I know.
I took my twenty-year-old daughter to the polls for her first election yesterday (hooray for early voting!) and she cast her vote. Thank you for pointing out how lucky we are to have this chance. I do wish you could do so, too! It seems only fitting that someone so involved and here contributing so heavily to this democratic society should be able to participate in all aspects.
I haven't been here in the states nearly as long as you have. Also a Canadian living here. But it is definitely an interesting and exciting day to be in the USA.
/Shannon @ www.livinginthegray.com
Hooray! Hooray! it's voting day!
Keeping my fingers,toes and eyes crossed...
On the other hand, your posts about the choice we make today have been so moving that you may well have motivated others to make it to their polling station today and seek change. You've done your part!
I voted two weeks ago in early voting here in Florida. My greatest fear is that people will not go out and vote either because of the long lines or out of complacency. I truly believe this is the most important election of my 46 years....I hope it goes well.
Aww, I feel bad for you. I feel left out and I don't even live there or have American kids. We are having our own little election party although it just struck me it's more of a North America party.
We have:
1 American
1 Cdn
1 Obama tshirt
2 Tim Hortons dinners
10 Dos Equis beers.
Fingers crossed!
And most important one absentee ballot sent in weeks ago! I agree with the other commenters Kyran, you have done your part to draw attention not only to the importance of today's election, but I think you celebrate America and life in general in your writing and that is a wonderful thing.
You'll have to forgive me, but you're no bridesmaid. The matchmaker maybe, or perhaps the officiant.
How many times have I heard you encourage everyone these last weeks (months?) to vote? Many, many. It may feel today like you weren't a part of this political process, but I assure you that you very, very much were and are.
And it's no small thing.
(And now I look up to see that Jenny said the same.) :-)
I'm watching the results right now, as I expect you are, and cheering so loudly for those lovable people in Ohio. What a rush! You Americans sure know how to make an election interesting (compared to the yawner we just had here).
Oh, and what Jenny and Jennifer said, too. You've certainly done your part for Obama's cause.
I've been checking in here all day to see your take on last night. You have written about the campaign so eloquently already, I can't wait to see what you have to say about such a powerful and important occasion.
Came across your blog through Twitter. I've checked it occasionally because, even though I'm second generation Irish American, I somehow related to your background story. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I can say today, without qualification, that I love the USA. It's been a while, since I've even thought of uttering such a phrase.
What an amazing day today is...
My story is like yours and Shannon's. I was so frustrated by the swell of passion I felt in this election that I could not vote in that I found myself on the doorstep of the local campaign office and soon after knocking on doors on behalf of the Obama Campaign.
It was not quite the same, but given the circumstance, it was a pretty close second.
I am delighted and inspired that so many people, regardless of their political affiliation got out to make their voices heard.
God Bless this beautiful land and the rest of the world that watches in anticipation!
Kyran, I'm still struggling to understand this. You've been in the U.S. for more than 10 years, have your permanent resident card, but still can't vote? Why on earth not? it seems almost punitive to me.
Geoff, ball's in my court. I live and work here legally, but have never applied for citizenship. Mainly because I do not want to revoke my Canadian citizenship.
But I am getting close to a decision.
So, how and when do you get to be a citizen?
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