A different start

Babies have a funny way of reframing the lens from which you view the world.

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Well, 2017 was a shit show wasn't it? I mean, politically and policy speaking, we're all getting fucked up the ass... even the ones that voted for a wealthy reality T.V. star to run the country. 

It's been a year of resisting. Of speaking up and out. Of taking action, making phone calls, writing letters... having the hard conversations and exposing myself to lots of viewpoints and publications that don't echo my opinions in hopes of identifying the why and the how.  And, on a personal level, for me, a year of surprises. As expected, I've fallen head over heels in love with AB2, worries and stresses about becoming a family of four faded away the moment we heard that first cry, and held her for the first time. And I'm grateful.

I'm grateful I got to end last year and begin this year with a baby. A sweet, innocent life, for whom all the possibilities are still endless. Still undetermined. And that has brought me a sense of refreshed perspective.

I spent a lot of 2017 being angry. Angry at the people who voted for and supported the worst president this country has seen. It's not even a left or a right thing. It's literally just a human decency thing at this point. Angry for all those who are suffering directly from the bigoted policies rolling out of the house at lightening speed in the middle of the night, un-vetted, and unaccounted for. Angry at willful ignorance. And, I'm still angry. 

But this last year, through the news of my pregnancy and the birth of my second daughter, I've been reminded of all the decent people I've been so fortunate to meet through my blog, in addition to my friends and family. Instead of starting this year defeated and anxious about the impending doom of the reign of 45, my 2018 started with friends bringing me delicious homemade meals, new baby "survival" bags with dark beer and dry shampoo, friends offering to pick me up nursing supplies, well wishes from all of you and a whole heck of a lot of support. It's allowed me to refocus a bit. 

Now the mom of TWO girls, I'm even more invigorated to keep fighting for the world in which I want to raise them in, the opportunities I want them to have access to, and the values in which I hope to instill in them. I may have appeared more "mellow" these past few weeks, but in reality, I find that so very far from reality. I'm prepared and ready. Ready to tackle this journey as a parent of two. And ready to continue my path, however it shapes out, as a doer — an activist and a voice. I owe it to my daughters to be the best version of me and all of you who continue to offer support, friendship and conversation are an integral part of that. 

Thank you for getting my 2018 off on the right foot. Let's go hard this year.