'Twas the Day Before Elections...

Some images and voices that are characterizing this Election Day eve for me:

• Dueling day-laborers on opposite street corners, gyrating wildly while carrying large signs with the names of rival local candidates.
• Surge of e-mails from friends and family, in the U.S. and abroad, advising me on my Presidential pick based on excerpts from "unbiased sources" and self-proclaimed pastor prophets.
• Radio and TV news talk shows asking the same question, "Are you approaching this year's election differently from other ones?"
• YMCA locker room conversations among retirees who will be volunteering at the polls tomorrow, excitedly quipping about their much earlier-than-usual start to Election Day and the expected overwhelming turnout.
• Joining my co-worker in casting damp eyes to the ground and nonchalantly rubbing reddened noses as she recounted powerful emotions when she and her long-time partner received their marriage license at San Francisco City Hall last week. "We are officially part of each other's families now."
  

I'm probably pausing longer than most to savor each and every moment associated with this Election, seeing as this will be my first voting experience. But considering a black man is a major party nominee for the U.S. Presidency, and gay marriage is on the State ballot,... My guess is that, regardless of the outcome of these and other socially significant contests, the historic nature of this Election will no doubt be burned into the memories of all Americans, and perhaps even the world.