Earning My Sticker … Barely

As just about anyone can attest, this has been one combative – and historic – mid-term election season. People could not avoid being bombarded with election ads and reminders to vote every time they turned on the TV.

So how is it that I almost forgot to cast my ballot?

I was sent an inspiring email recounting how Oprah Winfrey casts her ballot in honor of Otis Moss Sr., a black man who walked miles to vote, then was told he was at the wrong location. After walking several more miles to the correct location, he was told that the polling place was closed and he couldn’t vote. Moss was determined that he would vote in the following election but, unfortunately, died before he could cast his ballot.

Another email I received recounted how Utah mayor and Army National Guard member Brent Taylor urged Americans to vote.

“As the USA gets ready to vote in our own election (Tuesday), I hope everyone back home exercises their precious right to vote,” Taylor wrote in his Facebook post from his station in Afghanistan, “and that whether the Republicans or the Democrats win, that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unite us than divide us. ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ God bless America.”

The Associated Press reported that military officials said the 39-year-old Taylor was shot to death on Saturday by an Afghan commando he was training, who was then killed by Afghan forces.

With these compelling stories, how was it that I found myself enjoying a glass of wine, waiting for dinner with my son at Ocean View Bistro on Tuesday night when it struck me: I hadn’t yet voted.

I had meant to in the morning when heading to work, but I was running late. I figured that I would go when I picked up my granddaughter from school, but I forgot my ballot. After work then; but being Tuesday I was working late and decided to catch dinner out. So there I was, talking with my son when he said something that struck a chord, reminding me of unfinished business at the polling place.

Borrowing his car keys, I quickly made my way to my polling place with a few minutes to spare.

For better or worse, I was able to make sure my voice was heard.

And I got my I Voted sticker.

  robin goldsworthy