I love voting.  I do, I do, I do.  Greg likes to tease me because he served this great country of ours, so no matter in what capacity I’ve given time to America, I can’t top him.  But nonetheless, I’ve been an Inspector at Precincts, handed out a million ice cream bars from political tents at County Fairs, been the Secretary of the Young Republicans of Smalltown, IN.  I’ve even been a delegate to the Indiana Republican State Convention, a very proud day in my life.  I love this country and I love to vote.

Last night I tried to explain the Presidential Election to Miss Sara during chit chat time.  Only because she wouldn’t stop asking why Wheel of Fortune was canceled, and I tried to tell her the news hour was extended due to the election coverage, and that was IT for her.  WHAT ON EARTH could be SO IMPORTANT THAT THE NETWORKS CANCEL WHEEL OF FORTUNE?!!! MY GOD PEOPLE.

When I explained that 2 different men are in a contest to lead our country, she made sure “this country” included South Carolina, because apparently all Lazy Rivers are located in South Carolina, and why would anyone want to lead a country with NO Lazy Rivers?…discuss amongst yourselves.  I then asked her who she thought would win.  She replied oh so very thoughtfully, “Well, I might just win.”  I couldn’t have loved any answer more than that one.

So this morning as I stood in a VERY long line at 5:55 am outside of one of a trillion churches in Indiana, I couldn’t help but think about how amazing it is that we vote INSIDE CHURCHES.  I was standing safely in line with countless Americans, and none of us had a fear in the world.  We were safe, along with our families, along with our neighbors…just waiting in the cold to vote.  Despite our differences and our convictions and the bally-hoo that has surrounded this election, no one raises an eyebrow about voting in a house of God.  Because we know we’re all different.  Extraordinarily different.  And in our American practicality, we know the handiest place to vote is near your home.  Practical wins all in the land of the Wal-Mart, I guess.

The more secular part of the world thinks we’re complacent.  Maybe even lazy.  But it’s such a mistake to look in from the outside.  It’s not complacency…it’s freedom.  Freedom means we vote safely.  Freedom means we worship, safely.  Anywhere or not at all.  Lazy is a choice.  God is a choice.  Voting is a choice.  And because everyone gets to stand up with purple hair and scream at the top of their lungs that America is great or horrible or right or wrong….nobody gets hurt.

Except for the brave men and women whom have given their lives so that I may walk out of the poll as the sun rises and lights up the sky in baby blue, and Thank God for making me an American.

As I darkened my circles on the ballot, I saw the little line for “write in”.  Just staring at me.  Oh you know I wanted to do it.  Out of hope, out of joy that my daughters are healthy and wonderful, out of the pride that only a mother can have for her children.  I wanted to pen in the name, “Sara Felice”.  Sara Felice for President.  I could have never done it, certainly not when so many servicemen and women died this year so that I could make those marks this morning.  But I wrote it on my heart.  32 years from now, Sara Felice wins the Presidency.  Her first duty in office?  Make it a law that Wheel of Fortune is NEVER canceled.