Women's March

When I woke up this morning I didn't have any intention of going to the Women's March downtown.  We were up late with my sister last night and I was tired.  Not to mention, we have kids, Saturdays are our days off and we usually like to stay in all day and enjoy family time.  But, like most mornings, I got up and got on social media.  I haven't been on Facebook much since the election and certainly wasn't going to be on yesterday, Inauguration Day, because I was in mourning for our country and all the change and progress that has happened over the last 8 years and how it's already attempting to be dismantled.  I got on Twitter this morning, where I follow mostly celebrities and politicians and my feed was flooded with information about the Women's Marches being held across the country and the world.  I dug a little farther and found that one was being held in my own city of Wichita.  I asked Michael if we could load the kids up and just drive downtown, not necessarily march.  It just felt like a moment in history being made and I wanted to see it for my own eyes.  On our way downtown we talked to the kids and explained that people were walking to show the world that girls can do anything boys can do.  Our kids are two and four years old, that was all the farther this needed to be unpacked for them.  Avery went through a list of things that no one could tell her she couldn't do because she was a girl.  No one could tell her she couldn't clean her room because she was a girl.  No one could tell her she couldn't be a babysitter because she was a girl.  No one could tell her she couldn't be a policeman because she was a girl.  Now we're getting more to the point, but I loved listening to her process that information her way.  When we drove downtown the march had almost reached City Hall already, they started at The Keeper of the Plains.  I asked Michael if he thought we should go down and march a little and he agreed we could.  So we parked the car, unloaded our babies, and met up with the crowd.  I called my favorite feminist, my friend Michelle, to see if she was there in the thousands of people surrounding me.  She was and we quickly met up and stuck together.  She was thrilled to see our whole family out there!  We finished matching to City Hall where we gathered with others too listen to music and speeches, the kids did great and we stayed about an hour before they got tired.  Avery may vaguely remember this day, but probably not.  Connor definitely won't remember, long term, the events of today, but I'm glad we went.  Michael and I want to expose our children to the world around them, to make them informed, active members of society.  Today was just planting seeds and laying framework for several things.  1. You can make your voice heard, and you can do so peaceful and lovingly.  I never once felt my children or I were in danger, it was a very peaceful protest.  2. If something isn't right, you have to work to change it.  Don't assume others will take care of it, get out there and be the change you want to see in the world.  3. You can do anything and be anyone you want to be, Little Girl!!  Don't let anyone tell you you can't.  You can change the world.  I believe in you.  Throughout the day, since the march and rally I've been thinking about why I was out there, not just to set an example for my children, but why I aligned myself with these people and supported each of them, here's a few of the reasons that crossed my mind...
I march for my daughter, that no glass ceiling will stop her.  That she will never feel she can't accomplish anything she sets her mind to and works hard for because she's female.
I march for my son, to be a good, decent, loving member of society, with great role models, who values and respects all people, especially women.  That he will be a brave voice in defense of the helpless, especially when he hears "locker room talk".
I march for my parents who benefit from ACA and for the hundreds of thousands of other Americans who, for now, have health insurance through this legislation.
I march because denying someone healthcare because of a preexisting condition is wrong.
I march because pregnancy is not a preexisting condition and insurance companies should not be able to control when I choose to have a family.
I march because not everyone makes a choice to get pregnant, but everyone deserves a safe, non-judgemental place to make those realy personal decisions that will effect the rest of their lives.
I march because sexual assault is unacceptable and no celebrity of other person should ever feel entitled to do that to another human being, much less my daughter.
I march because my daughter, sister, aunts, cousins, mom, grandmas, and friends deserve to be paid equal to their male counterparts for doing the same job.
I march because some people don't realize there's a problem.
I march because I have a strong, confident, loving, husband at my side who empowers me to be good and do what's right and needs to be done.  He isn't intimidated by equality.
I march because I have amazing women in my life, who I love and care about, who differ wildly from me politically, but who deserve the world, out at least a fair shot at getting it.
I march for Avery, Sis, Mama, Delaney, Madison, Maggie, Linda, Grandma Heorman, Grandma Counterman, Michelle, Alli, Kaydee, Ginger, Nicole, Shelly.  These women inspire me, they give me hope, they give me boldness and courage to fight for the things that are right.

This got a lot heavier than I intended, so let me wrap this up.  I am not normally terribly politically active, but a lot has changed in the last 12 years of my life.  You and I may not see eye to eye, but I hope we're each granted the same freedoms and opportunities in life.  I want to do my part to make the world a better place for my kids, I think we all do.  I am fervently praying for our new president, that he, and thus this country, will be successful over the next 4 years.  I hope you'll join me in that prayer as well.

Peace and Good Night