Difference Maker!
I promise to not make this political or religious, but Friday, June 24 was a difference maker, or at least it should have been. The Supreme Court reversed the ruling of Roe v Wade.
Some people finally felt heard after decades of protests, lobbying, and fundraising. The polarizing ruling was so much more than a spark. It set a blazing fire to restrict, if not abolish, abortion completely, in all 50 states.
On the other end of the spectrum, man of us were left with bewilderment, feeling of loss, and a little bit of fear – if we’re really honest with ourselves. We assumed the leaks and the foreshadowing were all media rhetoric designed to get us to undermine the opposing political party.
Then for others, it was just another day. I think that bothers me the most. How could you not care?? I try to give grace to these people. But I must admit, graciousness has been difficult as of late.
I try to respect everyone’s opinions. I hope it is reciprocated for me.
With that being said, I found myself in tears after Friday’s historic ruling. I’m crying as I type now.
I was in New York at my sister-in-law’s, sipping on some coffee, texting my mom some mundane details of suburban life when the news broke.
I immediately called my mom. She of course thought I was calling about the text conversation we were just having. When I began to tell her what had happened, I just could not get the words out without crying. And once the tears began to fall, they just wouldn’t stop.
My mind went back into time before Roe v. Wade. Thinking about health care and access. Thinking about the glaring deficiencies in maternal support that still exist today.
My mind went to orphanages. Do we even have orphanages anymore? Weren’t there reports of abuse at them?
My mind went to my friend who had a utopic pregnancy that required an abortion. Her state does not allow that procedure now.
My mind went to the mother who needs chemo but will be denied life saving treatment if she is pregnant.
My mind went to how I myself miscarried. And how, in some states, I would have been forced to birth the baby naturally.
My mind went to being raped. What if I had been impregnated by my aggressor? I would have been constantly reminded of that horrifying incident every day for 40 weeks, while I carried that rapist’s child to term.I know its not the baby’s fault, but I also know my state of mind then, and I would have killed myself preventing it from happening.
There have been a few who advised me not to incorporate this subject matter into my newsletter. There is fear that some of you might be turned off by this polarizing topic. Maybe this article did just that. But this is who I am, and this is how I feel. And silence is not MY answer. I have never been one to ride the fence, and I am not going to start now. However, I will always be the one who tries to understand other perspectives whether I agree or not.
To all those women who feel they just lost their right, I’m here to talk to, to cry with, to burn bras with.
To all those women who feel like they have finally felt the grace of God, my door is open to listen to you, to understand you.
I AM HERE! And let me tell you, I have been blessed to have friends who have done the same for me.