(Image from feministing.com)

This morning I got to vote for Mayor of my hometown. Not only that, I got to vote for someone I've known for more than 25 years (go Setti Warren!). But that was just the cherry on top of the sundae.

Whenever I go to the elementary school gym polling place (AFTER applying fresh lipstick), I notice stuff. I smell that kid-sweat smell, check out the semi-private voting set-up, and hold my head high as I approach the tables of volunteers to get my ballot. I remember going to vote with my Mom, which always makes me smile.

I try to imagine what the volunteers do with the rest of their lives, and wonder why they're always reading sci fi books.

It's all an effort to try to not cry with gratitude.

Even voting for Mayor makes me proud to be an American and excited to have the chance to silently say, "I am EXERCISING my RIGHT to VOTE. I am giving YOU, government machine, MY OPINION. When you politicians study your statistics later on, my vote will be combined with the other people on my block, and you'll get an idea of what's important to us. Then maybe you'll do things like pay attention to the potholes on my street, and consider what I want you to do with my tax dollars."

I managed to not cry (and ruin my eye make-up, I was on the way to work!), but I voted for my friend and got that warm rush of emotional pride. I hope you get the chance to vote today, too.