A Blank Ballot

Yesterday, as I was handed a blank ballot, I felt so happy, so blessed, to live in a country where I have the freedom to vote. In our year and a half spent overseas, my husband and I spent time in many countries where people can't vote. Or if they can vote, the results of these 'elections' are already determined by corruption and intimidation before they even cast their ballot. The people in these countries told us that they did not have opportunity. They did not have freedom of speech. They lived in fear of their government. They had no hope for change. So as I stood in the voting booth with that empty ballot in my hand, it was amazing to me that I was there, holding onto hope. Holding onto the power to bring about change.