I have felt so drawn to the Women’s March in Washington D.C. since it was first mentioned. How would I get there? I do not travel enough to jump on a plane and go alone. No one was leaving from my little town. So, I started keeping an eye on the March’s Facebook page – then, the Michigan March’s Facebook page. Finally, the MEA (Michigan Education Association) said they had 5 buses and one going out of Grand Rapids. GR is about 45 minutes from me. I have a teaching certificate, taught for 4 years in a Catholic school, spent 12 years as a teacher’s aide in public school, and am now substitute teaching in public school. Their website seemed to make me feel I might be able to go with them even though I am not a member. I filled out the online form and a friend in the MEA saw it and called to vouch for me. I called the coordinator. After two conversations I was put on a waiting list. Last week the email came that I have a seat. $150.00 for a bus ride, march, and bus ride home.

I am not completely unfamiliar with the area. This will be my third adventure in Washington D.C. I first went in February 1987 with my husband, then my fiance, to meet his older sister. She lived near so we went into DC for a day. My second trip was spring 2009 with my daughter on her 8th grade class trip for 4 days. I flew the first time and tour bus the second.  My third trip will be a whirlwind. Each time I go the crowd seems to get bigger.

Washington D.C. on January 21, 2017 is where I plan to be. It would seem a lot of celebrities will attend. I hope there will not be too much dependence put on there “star” power. In my opinion Sec. Clinton’s using their draw power factored in her loss. We the people are not as influenced by them as it would seem. We look at the issues and try to make the best choice we can for our needs.

My going reaches to the core of me. It reflects my inner hippie (as I say). The decision to try to go also reflects my spiritual self. Some of my dreams from over 20 years ago pull me there. Dreams of crushing crowds, in another a long line of mostly women holding hands on a seashore facing the water, and another of  me dressed in red with a soft voice saying, “one day women will be angry like you are.” I am not afraid in the dreams. I am serious and calm. My life experiences and choices have prepared me for a moment such as this one. I saw it my heart coming clearly since fall of 2015. I do not see an end of anything. I see a moment of choice. Our country is the only country that can make this decision between opposing views. The way we go so too may go the world.

I go for the school children I see when I substitute teach. I go for my LGBT friends. I go for my two adult children who will be left with aftermath of our action or in action. I go for all the parents with children with health issues because I know that pain. My son told he always thought I was liberal even though I never called myself liberal. My personal choices lean on the conservative side of liberal. The God I know is a liberal thinker. He gave us freewill. I do not believe He wants a government to force one religion’s set of beliefs and values on us all. I believe in the separation of church and state. Especially so when any religion is used for political gain and oppression of those deemed lesser.

My son is close friends with one of his college professors. He and his wife have been to our home, and I gave him a copy of By the Pond awhile back. When he found out I plan to attend the Women’s March, he said my sign needed to say peace to all who see it. As a child, he came to the United States as an illegal immigrant with his family. His father carried with on his shoulders through the water to cross into the USA. I sign my book with “Imagine Peace!” before my name. He thought I should work that as the center of my sign, and that everything about me needs say peace. I agree – but , that does not means I will not get out my cafeterias voice if  needed to keep the peace. I am a pretty fair judge of when to talk and when to stay silent.