Day 52: American Mama

Today I decided to share with you all my thoughts on the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.

I went live on the blog's Facebook page to share some thoughts, but it's hard for me to speak like that unprompted, without my thoughts written down first :P a writer's curse, I suppose.

Here is the link to the video: https://www.facebook.com/momdiaries2016/

I started out mentioning changes going on in my life, which if you are following me here you should be pretty well aware of. One change I would like to point out in particular is that as I am working again now, even though it is part time and doesn't take a lot of time away from my home life and life as a Mom, I did change the name of the website to The Mom Diaries. I don't want to lead my readers astray.

I also mentioned the purpose of this blog. I want to be clear: I just want to share my story as a Mom in a way that readers can follow along. I want you to join me on this journey, and I want to inspire you. I want to talk about REAL life. Not only things pertaining to parenthood, but to life in general.

I then went on to the purpose of the video. Today is Election day, and I voted for the very first time. I chose not to vote in the last Presidential Election, and in the video I share my reasons why.

This year, however, I did vote. I wanted to put my thoughts out there in order to bring some positivity to what has been a stressful time for Americans, and by default to the entire world. This particular run has been so insane!

I wanted to reach out to those who choose not to vote, and to say what no one else has had the grace to say. If you don't vote... IT'S OKAY. We, as Americans, are so driven by our freedoms and rights. We have the right to vote. We also have the right NOT TO VOTE. It's our choice, and I wanted to say to anyone who chooses not to vote, that it is OKAY. If you feel like you are doing the right thing by sitting it out, please exercise your freedom of choice and do so.

I also wanted to say to voters that whoever you do vote for, I'm going to love you and treat you the same no matter what. As Americans, all we can do is vote for the person that we feel in our hearts will do good things for our country. It's not an easy choice to make. It's really not. And when it's all over and the votes are counted, we will have a new president and all we can do as Americans is to COME TOGETHER and hope for and strive for the very best for our Nation and for each other... for the things that our people have worked for, strived for, and laid down our lives for.

I want to encourage young folks to follow these types of elections. I didn't, which was why I didn't vote last time. Looking back now, however, I wish I had. I do not enjoy politics, and have hated every minute of the hellish roller coaster this run, and I must admit that I am afraid. I did follow it though, because I want to do my part to ensure a safe future for my kids. I want to do everything I can to see them live a good life, and to know that they will continue to live in a nation where they will have the freedom to do so.

These are just some of the things that have been on my mind throughout the campaign process. Most of all, I want my fellow American to know that no matter who they vote for, or if they chose to exercise their freedom and not vote, I will still love you just the same. I will still see you as a brother, a sister, and a beloved citizen of this nation. I will not criticize or belittle you, not ever. We are one, and we need to uplift and support one another. In the end, we are all just doing the best we can for what we believe is right.

U.S.A <3

Positive Vibes,

Stacy (WW)