USA Votes!!

Alex, my 18 year old son, and I got up at 5:45 a.m. to vote this morning. As promised by the news projections, it is a very rainy day in Chesapeake, VA and the polls are very busy. Our polling station opened at 6:00 we arrived at 6:20, we voted at 8:20. The atmosphere was calm, pleasant and full of hope! It was very helpful to have a highly energetic greeter who kept folks smiling and at ease. Once we made it to the front of the line, the individuals checking IDs were pleasant and very helpful. Our electronic voting went without a hitch.

Elsewhere in Chesapeake, VA there were difficulties with the electronic voting machines. We were fortunate enough to await our voting opportunity within the halls of Western Branch Middle School. Others not as fortunate waited in the rain for their opportunity to vote. As for many, today was highly anticipated in our household. Alex qualified to vote with only 6 days to spare (due to his August 26th birthday).

As I type this entry I am watching CNN where Vice Presidential hopeful and Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is casting her vote in Wasilla, Alaska where it is 7:09 a.m. She is wearing blue jeans and a brown suede jacket - looking like the gorgeous mom next door. What a momentous occasion. Regardless the winner, United States history will be made today!! We've come a long way, baby.

I hope you exercise your civic privilege and responsibility to cast your vote today. Whether for Senator Obama & Senator Biden or Senator McCain & Governor Palin - please vote.

God Bless the USA.

Photo: Alex, 2008 - only seconds after voting for the first time.