Free Write: Witnessing History

Anyone who has any sort of social media account at all has seen the ruling from this week.

The Supreme Court of the United States has declared that same-sex marriage is constitutional. In every.single.state. Every single one.

This means that couples who have married in one state because that state allowed for it are now considered legally married in other states.

Now, honestly, I don't have to spell this out for you. You have to know how HUGE this is.

And I'm thrilled. I'm beyond thrilled.

My Facebook feed is full of profile pics that look just like this.

And it's pretty freaking cool, if you ask me. Except you didn't - but I'm telling you anyway.

I haven't written much this week. Or lately. I suppose I've just been in a summer mentality.

We did some traveling over Father's Day weekend. It was a lot of fun, and my daughter and I had some time together while my husband attended a conference. It was nice being with her in a different city. We were in Virginia, but also DC/MD later on.

Although we did fun stuff across the board, like Medieval Times in Baltimore (thanks to The Attic Girl, who I won two tickets from). See? Look how cute we are ...

It was a fun experience, my daughter's first time there, and we spent the dinner portion explaining that she should forget all of the rules we have taught her about eating. And every time we tell her to use her fork? Not this time. Overall a great night.

But then that day we did something more important. We walked around DC for about two hours. Yes. In the crazy heat. Very crazy heat. But my daughter really wanted to get up close and personal with the Washington Monument. And so we started off at the Lincoln Memorial and made our way across the length of the reflecting pool to the "pointy point" - yes. That's what my kiddo kept calling it. We walked for hours and we showed our daughter bits and pieces of our nation's history. We talked about the first president. And the sixteenth. And from a certain spot we could see the White House.

And on that day it just so happened to be the longest day of the year. And so happens that on that same day Postpartum Progress held their annual Climb Out of the Darkness to support women with postpartum mood disorders. And that walk? That lonnng walk and then some? Represented my climb. Because to me this is an important cause. And I advocate for awareness and support and education and reminders that women who suffer and struggle are not alone. Never alone.

By the way, it's absolutely not too late to support my tiny little effort, and that of people across not just this great country, but the entire globe, and make a donation to help raise voices on behalf of moms everywhere. Check out my Crowdrise Fundraising page for more details.

Unfortunately, this week (and then some) of historical moments and joys has not been unmarred. You'd have to have been living under a rock to have missed what I would easily refer to as the massacre that happened in Charleston, SC on June 17th. My heart shattered into thousands of little pieces as I watched the news unfold. So many beautiful lives lost on this senseless day.

There is no way to make sense of how these things happen. There's no way for me to stand beside my friends - arms extended and hearts open - standing there offering support and love to those in my life who fear for their children, their families, themselves. There is a racial divide in this nation. It's not one people like to acknowledge, but it IS there. Life is supposed to be beautiful. Life IS beautiful for so many. But even with the changes that have happened that sprinkle rainbows across my Internet - I still ache and mourn for those lost, and feel the fears for those who feel them.

I recognize - each time something like this happens - who I am. And who I am not.

And then there's this. This beautiful moment that touches anyone watching. Of any race. Any religion. Any nationality. Any political affiliation. Our nation's leader shared a glimpse of his soul as he offered up prayers in the memory of just one person lost. Take a moment and let it move you.

It, too, is a part of history.



I hope that future history-making moments will include more consistent rainbows, strength, and love. Lots and lots of love. Support. Friendship. Release of fears. Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

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