Yesterday was election day in America. The election has been the topic of conversation, the test of some friendships, the revealer of character, the irritation of some and the inspiration to most for many months now. I spent election day at work, played a gig in the evening and made it home in time to see them announce the 44th president of the United States.

Since I’ve known who I was voting for for a while now, I decided to vote early to avoid the big crowds on election day. However, when I showed up last Thursday, I ended up in a line that wrapped around itself through the library with the rest of Green Hills. Most people in line were texting, talking on their phones, drinking Starbucks or chatting about the key issues with their line buddy. It felt like we moved about six inches every half hour and I was tired and stressed about being late for work, so I tried to avoid eye contact as to not get pulled into a conversation. When I finally made it to the front of the line to check in, I knew I would be hassled about my Oregon drivers license so I was prepared with electric bills and bank statements to prove my residency. This of course took a while, so by the time I got to my electronic voting machine I was kind of pissed that there were only four questions after all that! I made my selections, got my ‘I voted’ sticker and headed out the door.  

A tired looking woman in mismatched cloths and a scrunchy around her wrist, walked out at the same time as I did.  ”How about that huh?” she said, I smiled and nodded and kept walking. She didn’t seem to pick up on the fact that I was in a hurry, and continued on to tell me about how she’s been working double shifts this week but couldn’t wait to vote so she took a shower and came here straight away to put her two cents in. She carried on and on about her life until we parted ways at her car. 

Her enthusiasm despite her circumstances, had rubbed off on me during our conversation. For a moment back there, I had let the minor frustration of the crowd and the line get in the way of the amazing thing I was taking a part of. I had just stood in line for an hour with a wildly diverse group of people, all showing up early to participate in our country. That’s what is beautiful about America. We have a choice and we have each other. Our diversity make us such a unique country, and I started feeling blessed.

As if to drive her point home, she drove by as I was getting into my car and yelled, “Have a good day you!”

That same spirit is being renewed in the hearts of millions of citizens with the start of this new Presidency.

God bless America.