change.

a long day.

a long day.

4:45 am at the polls.

an hour to set up and get everything ready.

i was on edge. i was nervous.

i didn't want to be the one. the one who's polling place didn't run right. have machine failure. problems. issues. any of that.

i didn't want cnn to show up on our doorstep. i didn't want to talk to anderson cooper in that manner. i didn't want to be one of those people. the ones in florida. four years ago.

i was excited. but nervous. i've worked many elections. i've been a judge before. but today was different. people were actually going to come vote.

we were ready. i opened the doors at 6 sharp. we had a line winding down the sidewalk. into the parking lot and down into the street. they couldn't wait to come in. to get to the machines. to cast their vote. to get their sticker.

the day went smoothly. over 70% turnout in my district. 70%. fabulous. how funny is it that everyone wanted. an i voted sticker. and not just for the free coffee at starbucks or the free chick-fil-a sandwich or the free krispy kreme donut. but to wear. to show that they made their choice. that they celebrated their patriotism. that they voted.

there was a bit of reality however. someone actually came in and said they could only get a sticker every four years. is it possible. we workers thought, that they actually believed this? that they weren't aware. that there are more. more. elections than presidential ones???? that there are actually elections every year. even every six months? that you don't have to wait four years to get another sticker?

anyway. it was a good day. busy. tiring. stressful. fun. interesting. invigorating. friends stopped by. delivered coffee. support. and lunch. the people we met. so interesting. and everyone there. despite their differences in opinions and thoughts. to vote. i know. i love politics. this may be as much as i'm ever involved in them. but i love it.

despite his misgivings. but in a giving frame of mind, john even blessed us with his presence at our election results watch get together. he even allowed us to photograph him with a sign. a sign that he didn't care for. that he cringed at. and you can't tell but his shirt says vote for. and ends with barack obama sign. hee hee. but it's too late now. the other yulie was so proud of him. knew he was mocking us. but knew we got the better of him this time. forever it seems as it's on film this time.



her: "that's barack obama mommy. that's him!"

"he's going to change my life, mommy. change my life."



from a five year old.

a good day.

a day for change.

a proud day to be us.

a day of hope.