After what feels like an eternally long and divisive election cycle, the day finally arrived. Voting is one of the most important rights we have as citizens of this great country. The peaceful election of leaders and subsequent transfer of power is something admired and appreciated all over this great world of ours, by countries far less fortunate than we are.
I voted today with you in mind. I thought about what you would be facing as a young lady growing up in this community and country. Less than 100 years ago, women were still fighting for the right to do what I was able to do today. This was not a moment I took for granted.
I thought about your brothers….pretty easy to do since your baby brother was kicking around the whole time and your big brother was begging to push the buttons. I thought about the people in this country who don’t have the opportunities that we have. I thought about our planet and who would be the best steward for the environment and our incredible natural resources. I thought about the type of leadership we need locally and nationally to do the type of work to bring people together, keep us safe and inspire us personally.
What I thought about most was what it would take, and what I could do to bring a whole lot more hope, love and kindness into this world of ours. Spoiler Alert: It’s more than just pressing a lever once a year. As hokie as it may sound, that’s what I feel we need the most.
We don’t all view this election or this world with the same lens, and that is one of the things that truly makes our society great. I hope that after today we can begin again to have a dialogue where we all listen with care to each other, and when we do disagree, we do so with respect and love. I also would really like to not hear so much profanity on the TV…..please.
I love you my sweet girl. Miss you always,
