Guest Blogger Sonia Bayne on Election Day

It is with pleasure I introduce my guest blogger for today, Sonia Bayne, reflecting on Election Day 2008 (reprinted with permission of the author).

Tuesday, November 4th 5:18 pm

I need to write it all down. It's a momentous day, whichever way it goes.

The voting energy starts last night when Sarah calls, on her way to the Obama rally in Manassas. She's running late, sounding anxious, and trying hard not to miss it. We can't find a news network to tell us what is happening at that moment, but -- no surprise -- it turns out that the whole event is running late. I check the Obama website (which I have been totally impressed with) -- and lo, they are streaming the event live. We turn off the SNL Presidential Bash to watch the Real Deal. Obama finishes up with: "Fired Up! Ready to Go!" -- by which time, so are we.

That's probably why I wake before the alarm at 5:30. We are out of the house by 5:45, and at Latimer Lane school before the polls open, in time to find parking right in the school lot. We are the last couple to fit on the end of the line inside the doors, out of the pre-dawn coolness. By the time the gym doors open, the line is out the door and across the parking lot. Lots of parents are delivering their baked goodies for the PTO, and coffee is being set up. Business will be brisk for sure, and there's a friendly buzz of anticipation in the air.

I'm pleased to see that they have set up a TV screen showing the ballot process, and a list of our rights as voters is clearly posted at the front of the gym. We are quickly inside and checked in, and handed our ballot sheets. As I pick up the pen, I take a moment to reflect before filling in the circles -- I'm thrilled that this time, the choice is, for me, very straightforward. It really does feel like a landmark event.

All too soon, it's done. We collect our "I Voted Today!" stickers, stop to buy a scone, and head out past the waiting line. It's a longer line now, and cars are parked all up and down the street (though there are spaces in the lot). We're still fired up and ready to go as we head to Starbucks for our cups of free voter coffee. It's still only 6:30.

And now -- all we can do is wait, and pray that the results are clear and unequivocal.

This reader comment in the NY Times today sums it up well for me:

"May we all be wise in our voting. May our country be humble and caring of "the least of these." May our world, finally, come to the realization that we accomplish more together than apart. God bless us, every one."

M/S