VOTING BOOTH MOMENT
When I entered the elementary school where I usually vote, I was not aware of it.When I signed the card you sign to verify you are voting, I did not feel it.When the poll workers checked my i.d., I did not sense it.
But once I inserted the card, and the process began--of seeing, for the first time:
For the Office of the President of the United States:
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Barack Obama
I felt my breath catch in my throat.I found myself running my fingers over the letters of a name--not the name of the person I so want to be President of the United States, not the man I am campaigning for--I found myself tracing circles over the letters of her name.A woman's name, for the first time--ever--in a place where I'd never seen--or imagined, really--seeing such a name:a primary to decide the nominee for President.
I could feel myself beginning to tear up.Why? Was I tearing up because I suddenly understood the ENORMITY of this--a woman on the ballot?
I ran my fingers over Barack Obama's name, and remembered, quietly, asking my Mom about MLK when I was very young.
It was the enormity of all of it.
I could not seem to select one, though I certainly believe with all my heart Senator Barack Obama can bring about sorely needed change, and has the vision and will to do that.But still.I looked at her name. A woman's name.And I held my tears.And then I voted for my person.
And when I was about to leave, and placed the obligatory, proud Georgia-peach "I Voted" sticker on my shirt, I whispered to the woman working at the exit, "May I tell you who I voted for?"
"No", she said, and then, seeing I desperately wanted to be proud of my vote, that I wanted to share it with someone, she said quietly, "But you can go outside, and tell someone." And she smiled.
Hansoo was waiting for me.
"What took you so long? It's not like you didn't know who you were going to vote for."
"Well," I began, "I got choked up."
"What?" he asked.
"I just saw Hillary Rodham Clinton's name, and it hit me that there's a WOMAN running for the Presidency of the United States."
"Yes, Lisa," he said with a kind smile.
"Hansoo, I voted for Barack Obama. He's got the vision, I want him to win, and I think he can win in November, against McCain, or whoever."
I was nearly in tears.
"I know.I know." he said softly.