VOTED!

As usual, I got goosebumps when I entered through the curtains, was joyfully weepy as I turned the little selection levers, and then I gave the crazy VOTE crank a final pull!

When I walked out, I caught up with one of the volunteers outside who was kind enough to chat with me. I asked how the day was and his response was beautiful. A warm smile spread across his face and he said that it's been an amazing day. He was at Centre Street early in the morning, where it was packed, before heading over to LaGuardia Place where it was not as crowded, but definitely hectic. By four o'clock our location, in Greenwich Village, the voter signature book was nearly filled, meaning everyone who registered not only voted, but they made sure to come in nice and early!

I've got about ten minutes until the babysitter is to be relieved, then it's dinner with the children (at my favorite local spot Jane!) to celebrate voting, humanity, and The Common Good.

"So because Obama gets in or McCain gets in, it's not going to be repaired overnight. The economy is not going to be repaired, the schools -- the disaster in our schools -- will not be repaired overnight. Nor will the social conversation be repaired overnight.

However, I would encourage every voter to say to his or her candidate, go in and do it, and you will not do it alone. I will help. You have to get up off that sofa or off that couch and give something to the country -- even if it's one hour every other week to an old people's home -- I will read, go into the children's ward and read, or give to your church or your synagogue or your mosque. ... Offer something to the country. So you don't just sit there.

... You need to know that you can go somewhere. You're not just like grass growing on the street. You're like trees, you have roots, and they've done wonderful things, and you need to know that, and by knowing that, you see how outfitted you are for these times. And that you really owe it to those who went before so that you can add to them for those who are yet to come. You need to know that you are in a continuum, and if you understand that, you realize that you are worthwhile. This continuum would be broken without me."

-- Maya Angelou on CNN

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