Life, Liberty & Pursuit Of Your Boyfriend

long and rambly. bear with me.

Words really cannot express enough the amazing emotions that I feel at this moment.

I came into early election season as an undecided. Trying to figure who was the perfect candidate aligned with what was important to me. Or if anything was even truly important. Eight years ago I could have imagined voting for a candidate such as McCain.

I researched those on the ballot. I listened to friends. Watched a shit-ton of commercials that annoyed me to no end. But somewhere in that initial process… I actually registered to vote (I don’t remember voting since Perot - talk about irrational voting). Yet I was still both uninterested and uninvolved.

Then came Palin. Sure, she shook things up a bit. I have always had strong views opposing abortion. Always. Disturbingly similar to Palin. Unreasonably, unbudgingly similar to Palin. So much so that one day conversing with my sister, my own words scared something within me. I wondered if the same conservative views I held in my early 20s were even valid anymore.

It seemed as though I matured as both a person and a woman.

While I’m personally not someone that agrees with the decision to abort, I welcomed an open ear and heart to certain tragedies and traumas that beset women in these situations. Then I realized I had FRIENDS once horribly caught in these decisions. I also truly believed that comprehensive sex education - not the sick mindset of abstinence only teachings - was something extremely neccesary in today’s society. And in that, I found myself nothing like the potential first-woman vice-president.

Most importantly in all this mindless babbling, is that I found my own way. I did not get swayed by peer pressure or religious pressure or media pressure. I took the time to learn. Especially about myself.

I realize I still have a lot to learn (or remember) about politics. But I have come to a point in my life where a shift has shifted my priorities, and subsequently my life.

While I’m sure it all sounds corny, I had a life-changing moment.

When I heard Barack Obama speak at the Cleveland rally, something moved me. Something restored me. I felt a hope for ALL people FROM all people. A universal “people love” I have always felt, that I always wished more would embrace.

That day? It felt real.

I have volunteered consistently for personal causes. This election, I was calling voters at dinner hour, attending fake baby shower essential to women’s rights, and standing there with 80,000 others that had those exact chills from Obama’s words.

Most importantly, Tuesday, November 4, 2008, I walked into my polling location and filled in a circle for Barack Obama.

And my eyes teared up when I turned in my ballot. THAT is powerful.

When I saw CNN’s report at 11:15 naming Obama as our elected president, it was a mix of shock and serenity.

And satisfaction.

I helped make this happen.

And there has never been a greater emotion that I have felt in my lifetime thus far.

And Obama, you can thank me later.