That's right - alert the press! I've booked my flight and off to Washington, D.C. to march in N.O.W.'s March for Women's Lives. It's my belated birthday present to Thomas. Wanna come with me?
My good friend lives in D.C. and I'll be staying in her boxed-up apartment, as unfortunately, the march takes place just before she can move into her new two-bedroom condo. But who cares?! A visit with an old friend and some political activism all rolled into one weekend can't be passed up.
For those of you who may be confused about why this is my present to Thomas, allow me to explain: There are several pieces of legislation, judicial rulings, and other pressing legal matters that are currently threatening to restrict my rights as a parent. Some of them fall under the guise of nice-sounding, well-intentioned causes (defending unborn victims of violence, for example). But for me, the implications of these acts mean one thing - my right to save any future children of mine from brief, painful lives of suffering may be taken away.
I simply cannot imagine what sort of grief it would be to have my government force me to carry a baby that was doomed to die, and worse yet, doomed to suffer until that moment. The best manifestation of love I have ever shown another human being was delivering Thomas from his suffering. It was our right as parents to save him from that, and no one should take that away. What we went through was bad enough - I cannot imagine the alternative.
I also know that mothers, women like Laci Peterson's mom, mean well when they set forth and promote these legislative acts. But I don't think they know that women like me exist. I have to do whatever I can to let them know we do. There are other way's to punish crimes against unborn babies that wouldn't affect so many other rights.
So, I'm packing my bags and heading to the airport next month! Perhaps I'll see you there?
