Easy Listening

For almost a year now, there have been certain songs, certain albums and certain artists that I have blocked out. The CD's have remained in their cases and the radio dials have been quickly turned to another station.
Today, something made me put in one of those CD's. The morning drive was difficult and so was the beginning of the drive home, but at some point I stopped fighting the urge to turn off the sounds of memories and began to turn them up.
Of all the things that Drummerman and I had in common, music was the strongest and was in fact the core of our friendship. There were certain artists that were just ours and no one else was allowed in. Fourteen years ago we drove three states to see one of these musicians in an intimate setting and it is still one of my most vivid memories. That artist helped me break through some things today.
Through the sorrow and the regrets, I started to feel my own blood moving, my own nerves pulsing underneath my skin and I had to take my own advice and celebrate the gifts we are given.
This past year, I have not grieved. Instead I have blocked thoughts, distracted myself and acted as a pillar to others. I realized today that all I have to do is breathe.
The anniversary is approaching quickly and I find that my mind is bottling up more and more. Someone is shaking the bottle and if i don't open it soon, it will explode.

You've got to fight.. For your right.. To VOTE!!

I had two questions posed to me today. Questions which are better left out of the workplace. The following are the posed queries and my respective responses.
Q: "Are you happy with the results of the election?"
A: "I am thrilled that so many Americans showed up at the polls and exercised the power which they have been given."

Q: "Who did you vote for?"
A: "I voted for America"

Those politically correct replies carried more truth than if I had given the answers they were actually looking for.

Yesterday, I drove past a polling precinct which was a very large church. The building spanned the length of about a quarter of a block. The line out the door was three times as long.
My pride swelled seeing so many individuals taking an active part in their country. Something I believe has been somewhat absent for a long time.

Sure, I cast a vote for one individual, but whether or not that person won or lost was not the most important part of yesterday for me. I have always said to people that I don't care who they vote for, I care that they vote.

On the other end of that, yesterday was truly a magical moment for America. This country is 232 years old. Women have only been allowed to vote for 88 of those years. That women have been allowed this right is only because courageous individuals fought hard and endured ridicule, mental abuse and even physical abuse so that their daughters would have this gift. Yesterday, millions of women exercised that right.
138 years ago, black men were awarded this same right after this country lost many, many of its own in order to gain that ground. Even though the Constitutional right came into law in 1870, it was years later before the majority of the country let it happen peacefully.

No matter which way the votes swung last night, history was going to be made. Either a Black Man would serve as president or a woman would serve as vice president.

Many have paved the road for this to happen (recurring candidate Jesse Jackson or previous VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro, to name two) and last night the country saw that road get crossed.

Way to go America. Pat yourselves of the back for not refusing to take this precious gift of democracy for granted. It is my deepest wish that in four years, twice as many voters show up and say, "I have a voice. It is my choice to use that voice. The only way my voice can truly be heard is if I am quiet for 5 minutes while I vote."

Flip Flop for America!!!!