Pussycat, Pussycat- where’ve you been?

I am conflicted.

I am proud that women can stand together an peacefully be heard.

I am profoundly disquieted by the words our President has shared and continues to share (speak, tweet, whatever).

Objectifying,

verbal humiliation,

crass disregard for the basic humanity of women is wrong-

– and it’s horrifying coming from the President of the United States.

(People lie.

Clinton likely inhaled.

Oral sex is sex.

1,000 points of light are turning their faces in shame or winking out.

Weapons of mass destruction… weren’t.

Lies are everywhere without respect to political party.)

But I didn’t march yesterday.

I believe men have felt threatened by the primal life-force of women since men first realized women can bleed monthly and not die

… and not only that but life can come from between her legs and emerge screaming into the world.

Such great magic was to be feared….. and things that are feared by man must be conquered and disparaged.

(Of course, it could also be revered and magnified… but we aren’t there as a people yet.)

I get that there is a collective urge,
deep in the DNA of many (not all) men
– keep the women quiet.

I see it.

I know it’s there.

Men: I love you in spite of it.

But my vagina isn’t the source of my compassion.

I don’t speak the truth through my uterus.

My labia don’t define my self-worth.
I am more than my parts… which are mine to be shared as I choose.

I believe that life is in all of us.
I also believe that I don’t really know when that happens.

When LIFE happens.

Is it with breath?
Is it with birth?

Is it with heart beat?
When we are named?

I don’t know.

And since I don’t know- I can’t say I agree with a choice that can snuff it out.

I can’t stand and be counted for abortion rights.

I miscarried at 4 months and it haunted me for years.

I wish that agony on no woman.

I can’t be counted as believing something I don’t know.

I do know that every pro-choice person that I’ve met is also pro-Life.

And so I connect with that belief in us all.

There were so many reasons to march yesterday.

And there were just as many reason to march… and vote… last November.

So now what?

Yesterday 15 tornadoes ran through Mississippi and Georgia.

There is pain- destruction, fear there.

Help them… show them their lives matter.

So-called ‘honor killings’.

Glass breaking.

Bombs.

Hate-speech.

It seems every week someone with  a weapon shoots a random gathering.

(I heard it discussed last week- ‘Did you hear about the night club shooting! Crazy, huh?”
It had the same emotion I used to hear when the cafeteria announced pizza day.)

Where is the outrage?
How have we not stopped- stunned- at the loss?

How are we raising children differently to instill compassion so that violence is abhorrent?

But I did not march.

Because I can’t say I agree with all I did not stand beside you.

But I heard you and I support and believe in you.

Instead- I will continue to impact life  through my action as I can.

Where I can.

Homelessness, hunger, literacy.
(Alleviating two and boosting one!)

I’ve heard it said- ‘Why don’t “they” care for the children that are here if “they” are so concerned?’

Good question.

Unless you are with me all day, everyday, do you know that I don’t?

Must I reveal every act of charity for society’s approval?

I don’t need the approval so strongly.

Charity is for its own sake- not for publicity.

You impact as you can, too.

I don’t need to know how.

I don’t need to know what you do.

When we all make a difference the difference will be evident.

Yesterday was a big step in that direction.

It is our right to speak.

To declare without fear of harm our innermost belief.

It is, I think, our duty to speak truth.

And when un-truth (alternative facts is, I believe, the phrase of the day)

is spoken we must stop and shine the light of truth on it.

I am thankful for the march.

I am so proud of you for speaking your truth.

I admire the women that marched in generations.

I applaud those that moved WAY out of their comfort zone to be heard.

I appreciate the example of peace and conviction.

And so I dare to add my voice,

to declare my viewpoint and uncertainty:

I will honor the truth that I know for certain.

I honor life.

I honor compassion.

I honor activism.

Now that we’ve marched;

now that the, to me, frighteningly-horrible man is our President-

what can we do to help ourselves?

How can we use the momentum of the movement shown to build-up?

My vow is to find the ways and take them.

Look for the pain and help with the burden.

And, yes, I will pray for this man- this President.

I wish part of the oath had been, like for physicians: First do no harm.

But I fear it is too late for that.

So; marchers and observers alike, I challenge us.

What’s next?

How will we make change?
How will we drain the rapidly overflowing swamp?
How will we help the hurting- feed the hungry- house the cold?

Do you have blankets/coats/gloves/boots for the drifter?

Donate them.

Can you add a little to your cart for the food bank?
Feed them.

Can you speak to your neighbor and find common ground?

If nothing else, this President has galvanized action.

Let’s use it for good.