Five Reasons to be Grateful on NYS Primary Day

The New York State primary is today and I am super duper excited to finally be casting a vote–a vote that, most surprisingly, counts. This has never happened to me before in a primary election, nor really in a general, and so I feel that this epoch in my life calls for an Historic Listicle. Here are five reasons I am grateful about America on New York Primary Day.

One: In spite of the incredibly contentious and borderline friendship ruining nature of this election season, it is an incredible grace that ordinary people can shout and wave their arms and disagree not only about various policies and political philosophies, but about the candidates themselves. It is a narrow section of the world were an individual can say mean things, true or untrue, about those in power. This election cycle has been divisive, but it’s also been a remarkable illumination of the freedom that we have.

Two: I am grateful for the candidates themselves–yes, all of them. They have borne pretty patiently with the American public freaking out about each in turn. Honestly, if there was a narcissist amongst them in the beginning, I bet that inclination has been, for the moment anyway, shoved into a dark corner. I was listening to the ads flooding our airways yesterday, and every single one was imploring, pleading, desperate even–a delightful change from the confident ‘I’ve got this’ of previous years. Kudos to the candidates for sticking in there.

Three: I’m grateful for the chance to vote. Even if the delegate count doesn’t reflect my ballot, I’ve been given the chance to be heard, to say something about where I think America should go. It’s an extraordinary privilege.

Four: I’m grateful for the lovely people who sit at the election centers all day. Not only are they kind and helpful, they always imbue the air with a solemn and celebratory tone. Being thanked to come in and vote always catches me off guard. ‘No thank you,’ I always say, ‘for being here.’

Five: And finally, I am grateful for America herself. I am pretty critical all the time, and it’s easy, in the cut and thrust of political debate, to neglect the core realities that continue to hold this rocking ship afloat. This big, messy country is full up to the brim of interesting, hopeful people whose lives and opportunities have been formed and shaped by the sacrifices and vision of all who came before. It’s easy to bash America and the American, but today I am grateful for this land, and these people.

Happy Voting New Yorkers!