Today is the first time since we've been here that I wish I was back home. I'd like to stand in line with some other Americans at the polls and feel like I'm part of history. As it is, we printed out and mailed in our absentee ballots a while ago and there's nothing to do today. By the time the first polls close it will be after midnight here. I doubt we'll still be awake. Being abroad during a presidential election, especially one like this where so much is at stake, seems wrong. I've been reminded, though, that the English do care what happens in America. More than Americans ever care about what happens in another country's presidential election.
This past Saturday, I was chatting with a man at a rummage sale, and his eagerness to talk about the election was genuine. He wanted to know what I thought and was eager for my response. He knew all about the candidates. For the last 6 weeks, every Sunday morning, at the church we attend, prayers have been offered on behalf of the American people and the candidates running - that God will guide and direct our decisions and our next president. I attend a women's Bible study on Tuesday mornings. We begin with someone opening in prayer. This morning a prayer was given by a woman named Maggie. Her only prayer was for the people of America as they voted today, and she asked that whoever is elected will guide the country with wisdom and justice. She prayed that her grandchildren, who are American citizens, would never have to fight in a war. And I realized that we are all hoping for the same.
It's good to be somewhere else and be reminded that the decisions we make do affect each other - greatly. And it's good to be reminded how to care about the rest of the world too.
