In spite of the polarized state of politics in this nation, I am thankful for the capacity to vote. I wish people could communicate their differences in a more civil and professional manner, but that’s another post for another time. I’m glad I have the opportunity to research candidates and ballot measures, and should I choose, support candidates or even run for office. The sacrifices of people like my great great great grandfather, a free man of color who fought on the Union side of the civil war, my grandparents who made great sacrifices to farm on land that is still owned by my family and my parents who grew up in the Jim Crow South are not lost on me. I hope that the sacrifices I have made and am making are not lost on my children.