I feel a connection, perhaps it’s just a form of coping with loss via coincidence.
About 20 years ago I voted for the first time as a USA citizen. The vote was submitted by mail as absentee from Athens GA to Cobb county GA while I attended college.
I remember who I voted for, however, I do not recall feeling necessarily excited of the democratic mechanism of the USA.
Today, regardless of what results may be in the 2020 elections, I am happy for the people whose voices are being heard and votes are being counted thanks to the innovation and sensibilities to allow democracy to prosper, such as mail-in votes. I feel like “I can walk a bit taller” knowing I once participated in a that system that works for the people. Suppression and lack of trust in elections is present in other nations, I wish upon those people to feel, some day, as I do today…
One other feeling, which is difficult to explain, is the feeling of growth. My dad, who died in September of this year, was one of the most important people in my path to citizenship. He was the most important person in me taking the USA citizenship test as soon as I could and registering to vote; which to I was somewhat ambivalent to doing. Over time I seem to have caught up to the importance of being a responsible, informed and engaged citizen that he knew back then.
Peace, Be Well, Take Care.
