Vote!
Corey had just turned 18 when it came time to vote for President. He was so excited. I remember getting up early so we could be in line for when the polls opened.
It was cold. It was dark. And we were surrounded by strangers.
One stranger asked Corey (because as you probably can tell by his pictures he looked young for his age) “Is this your first time voting?”
Corey smiled and shyly said, “Yes.”
The group around us cheered for him.
They patted him on the back.
None of them asked who he would be voting for…
They were just pleased a young man would be voting.
When he walked in, our neighbors (those waiting in line) announced to the volunteers manning the polls that Corey was a “first timer”.
The volunteers made a big deal of his vote as well. They even did a drum roll as he put his ballot in the box.
I remembered all of this today as I voted in the same building…
Surrounded by the same volunteers…
I can still see his red face as they did the drum roll for him, and the way he put his arms up like a champion… he was both embarrassed by their attention, and encouraged by it.
I remember how important he felt his vote was after that first experience.
I don’t care who you vote for.
Vote… if not for you… do it for those who no longer can.
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