I got up at 5:00 this morning.

Yes, readers, it was only by sheer force of will that I climbed out of my warm, soft, comfy, wonderful bed this morning to get ready.

I knew that I was headed to the airport this morning at ten when Sister was to pick me up. Given that I did not vote early (I wanted to avoid a three hour wait in line on Saturday/Sunday), I knew that my only option was this morning before I took off for DC.

So I crawled out of bed, wondered if I had lost my mind and promptly hit the shower. After a few minutes of water pressure steadily waking me up, I got moving and got ready for the day. Yes, dressed for my travel today ... and out the door by 5:30.

My neighbors were leaving at the exact same time for the exact same purpose and we arrived at the polls within seconds of each other. We were approximately 13, 14, 15 in line ... and by 6 a.m., there was at least 75 people behind us in line. Yes, it stretched down the block and was turning the corner before the polls opened.

Do I need to even mention that this phenomenon brings me untold joy? I could've wept at the sight of my fellow Americans taking their responsibility so seriously. The political junkie in me desperately hopes this is not a one-time event, that Americans will continue their commitment to the political process and show up in record numbers at EACH election.

By the time I reached the front of the line, I was voter number 23 in my precinct (two precincts were at my polling site and I chose the wrong line at first). It took me nearly 25 minutes to vote.

As I walked out, the line still stretched to the end of the block, wrapping around the corner.

I drove away, carefully avoiding the many cars pulling into the parking lot and I smiled. Democracy in Action is a beautiful thing.