I like to have things planned out in my mind before I do them. This isnt saying I always do, but I like to have a game plan in my mind before doing anything, especially if its something I havent ever done before. This is my first year voting – the days leading up I tried to plan it out in my mind, just how it would go. I looked at sample ballets, ran multiple searches on “How to vote” and even tried to map out in my mind just how it would happen. But I couldnt get past the little booths – what HAPPENED behind those red white and blue striped sheets? In those little booths where only legs were seen? Just you and the candidates? Alone? In a booth? What if someone peeked in? Were you not suppose to show? What if the cops showed up – and asked what I was doing? What if the ballet came to LIFE? And then there was the issue that the ballet itself – looked an awful lot like a test. And if there is one thing I am TERRIBLE at – its tests.
“Its simple” they told me “You just fill in the little circles” but filling in the circles are the tests that I fail on the most. I always fill the WRONG circle.
But tonight – the Fam walked in to vote. I signed my name, took my ballet, and headed off to the little booth with the dreaded sheet.
Mom on one side, dad on the other. I opened the folder, located the pen, and filled those circles. Smiling to myself. I looked down and noticed mom and dad were still in their booths. Thinking maybe I missed something I rechecked my answers. And looked again. Dad was gone but mom was still there. I refilled my circles, double checked the back and mom was still there. I reread the entire thing. Panicked a moment when I thought I filled the WRONG circle and mom was still there.
A few minutes after I emerged – mom came out. I teased her about getting lost and off we went.
Sure – The election was over before our votes were even counted. But today I am thankful for the opportunity to have been able to vote.
Tangled Thoughts 