psssst Tessa... |
Ani's song, by the way, goes like this: "My mother went campaigning door to door and holding to her hand was me / Yeah I was just a girl in a room full of women licking stamps and laughing / I remember the feeling of community brewing, of democracy happening."
Tessa's not going to remember that her dad and I took her to a pro-choice rally on Saturday or that we walked around the Tennessee Capitol chanting and waving signs while she was strapped to the front of me.
But I will remember. Because talk about goosebumps -- I had them almost the whole time. I'm sort of blissfully unaware of a lot of political goings-on, but one thing I can't let myself tune out is the abortion debate, which is raging on in Tennessee. Last week my home state passed SJR-127, a constitutional amendment that will be on our ballot in 2014 and that, if passed, will nullify a 2000 Tennessee Supreme Court decision that says the state constitution guarantees a woman's right to an abortion. Tennessee also managed to pass a budget that blocks any Title X funding (federal family-planning funds) from going to Planned Parenthood -- effective immediately.
I don't really know that carrying around a cardboard-box-turned-DIY-sign will change anything, but it's better than nothing. And one day Tessa will remember.
what wonderful memories you are making with (and capturing for) tessa! you rock, awesome momma!
ReplyDeleteYou know Planned Parenthood v. Casey and a Tennessee Supreme Court decision aren't examples of "democracy happening..."
ReplyDeleteGood for you all! She's a lucky little lady to be raised by open and active folks :)
ReplyDeletei'm with you. pro woman, pro child, pro choice!!
ReplyDeletebest post ever. i'm teary and inspired. tessa is a lucky girl to you as her mom...so brave and compassionate...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments ladies! (except for you anonymous. whatever are you talking about anyway?)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Inspirational and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou are an awesome and inspiring mother/woman! This post made me smile so much!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful woman you are :) Your daughter is absolutely beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteTessa is so beautiful in that last shot. Well she's beautiful always but you know what I mean..lol.
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