Vote by Mail

Vote by MailMy mail in ballot arrived yesterday. The heavier than normal envelope with official markings was very noticeable among the not-so-important offerings from the postal service. I admit to a moment of reverence as I held that precious symbol of freedom - an envelope without a stamp and its precious contents. I've seen other symbols and demonstrations of the idea of democracy, some in distant places with names unfamiliar to most US citizens, some on busy streets of small and large US cities. Some had tombstones, some boasted relics of guns now silent.I do not take the idea of voting lightly. I recall casting my ballot with an envelope given over to the Fleet Post Office, knowing that it would be faithfully transported halfway around the world and counted along with the other thousands of ballots cast by other military personnel. My faith was then as it is now - that the process of voting would be carried out by thousands of honest people in an honest manner.So, I'll make an appropriate mark in the appropriate box according to my choices, seal the glue strip and scribble my name across the glue edge. For convenience, I'll drop the precious envelope into a mailbox in a postal annex or mailroom.I'll walk a little lighter, feeling that I've participated in one of the strangest and most valuable activities on earth.