Why the long face?

So I went to get Helen at 2:30, like normal.

I drove up, and she had a very disgruntled look on her face. When she got into the car, I said, “Whatsamatta, kiddo?”
“I have to tell you something.”
“OK, then… What’s up?”
“We voted today.”
“You did? Who did? Your class? or the whole school?”
“The whole school did. But it’s only a practice election. The votes don’t really count because we’re little kids.”
“Right.”
And then, she was totally crestfallen: “and John McCain won.”
“That’s OK, Helen. He’s a good man.”
“But I wanted Brock Obama [sic] to win.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because he has such a cool name!”
“Ah.”

I’m waking my girls up crazy early to go stand in line and vote as soon as the polls open. And I’m taking my camera with me. They are very excited that they “get to go vote.” Even though my vote won’t really amount to much in this very red state, I’m excited to introduce them to the process. And, no matter what happens, I’m very proud that my girls will never really know a world where the highest 2 offices have always been dominated by white males. Because tomorrow, that will change. No matter what happens tomorrow, history will be made. If Barack Obama wins, the entire world will know that our country has progressed a long way from where it was 45 years ago. I don’t care for Sarah Palin, but if McCain wins, a glass ceiling will shatter (even if I *do* wish it were shattering for someone else).

So progress will be made, no matter the outcome.

And that is a beautiful, beautiful thing.