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I Voted Today! 10/19/2020 9:32:33 AM
In-person voting during this Pandemic is, next to being healthy, the greatest Silver Lining thus far... True to Dr. Fauci's beseeching, I have "hunkered down" for months on end, respecting Covid 19 and doing everything in my power to be responsible by protecting myself and my community. It has not been easy, but it is doable; certainly for those of us who are retired and are responsible only for ourselves. Even then, it is challenging, at best.
I have truly bent over backwards to stay home and venture out only for long walks in nature (Boston parks) and grocery shopping once a week (senior hour) at the crack of dawn on Sunday mornings when I have Whole Foods all to myself. I do most of my shopping on Amazon and even do my laundry late at night once a week, when most of my other neighbors have turned in and the laundry room is empty.
In other words, I really am playing by the rules.
Initially, it was difficult and frustrating to see my neighbors being irresponsible, going around without masks or still socializing, but eventually, I realized that in order to keep my sanity, all I could control was my actions and my own environment. Much better for my health. And coming to that conclusion has given me much peace of mind and made life better for me.
So stepping out to unexpectedly vote in person with a very elderly neighbor whom I was just accompanying to the polls, absolutely came as the most pleasant shock of all because the place was empty and I felt totally safe.
I had never appreciated the privilege of voting as I did this morning and as I do now. We live in the greatest country in the world with our democracy, for the first time ever being on the brink of existence. I voted. I had my say.
I have never taken my freedom and my country for granted, but for the very first time in my life, I really felt the threat of losing the values so many have died for so we could enjoy. I will now pray - overtime - that Americans will rise to the challenge and have their say: Vote!
