I voted!

I voted today!

The federal by election was held in four ridings in this country. I voted.
I drove to the polling station. Parked. No crowds and no protests. It was a very nice venue - Saint Augustine's Elementary School - A good catholic school.....surely there will be religious ramifications for just setting foot on this holy ground. They must be waiting inside for me...but I must vote. In I went racked by fear but driven by principle.

Curiously, I was welcomed by security. A pimply faced unarmed teenage boy in a powder blue jacket. Actually he was kinda busy texting his friends. I don't blame him because his post was in a dimly lit school hallway and there was very little traffic. Actually, when he first looked up I thought I noted a thirst for companionship, but as it turned out I was a only a slight distraction as he quickly gave me the nod and thus, having performed his official duties, resumed to more important electronic affairs. Having met the stringent security screening I proceeded to stage two. No gun fire erupted, no explosions and no screaming thus far. Taking a huge breathe and with great trepidation I entered the well lit gymnasium. Over the door way was a large picture of a very holy man giving me serious flashbacks to lying in confession during adolescence. Would I hold up under torture? The thought raced through my mind and left a steady flow of sweat trickling down my back. Surprisingly, I was presented with a sea of voting booths each manned by very elderly though clearly well disguised assassins. Their friendly and helpful body language was surely a mask of deceit. I was directed to enter the gym. An elderly woman made a move. I feigned a protective stance positioning to absorb body blows and held up my voting card. With a smile she motioned me through. Phew! Despite being directed to polling station 63 and seeing it clearly from where I was standing (approximately 15 feet away) during my journey several elderly people ensured I made my way and did so safely. They were all so nice, did they take me for a fool! I know what is to come. I will vote - but at what cost? They welcomed me at polling station 63. The elderly couple got along so well I knew they could not be married. Their niceties were nothing but an attempt to dull my razor sharp instincts and lull me into some state of complacency making me vulnerable for what?? Coercion? If not that then intimidation, bribes or the threat of forwarding my name to the secret police. The latter resulting in a traditional "entire" family round up and beating!! I will not be bamboozled and remained focus and alert.

They called me Mr. Sunshine as they could not say "Sonnichsen" Before they asked I presented my drivers license as ID. I was warmly complimented on being so prepared - yet another pleasant fasad I am sure was well scripted and rehearsed. I voted. It appeared very transparent and legitimate. Nothing questionable - to the naked eye!! They thanked me for voting. Imagine that! Everything went too well - the tension was building in me like opening night for the one legged tight rope walker!!! I walked out of the gymnasium checking behind me and expecting the bag to come over my head and then to be whisked away in an older model BMW to my torture and eventual demise. Nothing?? Ahhhh!! the security boy would be the hammer!! Nothing?? He was still on his phone. As I left the building I looked for the sniper. Either there wasn't one or I was just to damn insignificant - maybe he was on a bathroom break. All I knew I was not yet in the clear. I hit the ground running - no crowds, no explosions, still no screaming. I got to my car. I checked underneath - no bomb. I roared off feeling elated - I survived. I exercised my right to vote without incident. I voted! I assume everyone who was physically able voted today. I read the paper and listened to the news. No bombs or riots at any of the polling stations. I am sure everyone must have voted today considering this fortuitous day of calm coinciding on such an important occasion. I am thankful today for the ceasefire. It was truly a Canadian moment!

Over the past few weeks China (Tibet), Kosovo, Russia, Iraq, & Afghanistan are just a few of the reminders why voting is first and foremost an exercise in gratitude. A grand and symbolic representation of freedom and democratic right to choose how to live with great respect for the imperfections in our system, in our neighbor and in ourselves.