Mama's Memories for M: Mixed Beginnings to the New Year

M ~

Happy 2017, Mali! So far, it's been an interesting first month of the new year. Daddy did what many people do at the start of a new year...he adopted a new fitness regimen and joined a boxing club. The workouts are really tough and he even brought you along a few times (which you loved)! You hung in there for the entire hour long workout and loved the attention that the staff gave you. Summer, in particular, was your favorite employee that took a liking to you as well!

getting your wrists wrapped by Summer

Early in the month it was bitter cold and we got a little dusting of snow again. Unfortunately it was barely enough to cover the ground. You didn't care though. You were so excited about using your new snowboard (from Christmas) that you insisted on hitting the slopes anyway. Us poor Ohio kids will take whatever snow we can get!

that is the smile of a happy, grateful kid

Since it was so crazy cold, (even Suzy got a little chill in spite of her fur coat), so she borrowed your old puffy vest. Cute, right?!

The next day she borrowed my sweatshirt. In spite of the awkward fit, it's obvious she enjoyed her walk on the trail.

When we came home from the walk, Daddy was outside taking down the Christmas lights. In his basketball shorts and my boots! What the heck?!

He said he liked how my fuzzy warm boots also accentuated his calves. Goofball.

Aside from the silliness at home, as you know, our country has a new president. Without going into too much detail, our family is not particularly fond of this president at the moment. We, as well as millions upon millions of other Americans, feel the same way. We are all nervous about how this administration is going to handle the affairs of this country, which of our civil rights are in jeopardy, and just how much our national security will be compromised over the next four years. Those, along with many, many other concerns that continue to come to light with each passing day. Since November, to say that this country has awoken would be an understatement. As far as I see it, for myself, I can't sit back and do nothing. So, Lao Lao and I (and many others) have joined what is being termed "The Resistance". Let me explain.

In November, a grandmother in Hawaii began a Facebook group to collectively react to the results of the election. That group, along with the Pantsuit Nation group that had already existed long before the election, joined forces and an idea was born to have a Women's March. It grew like wildfire and before we knew it, there were thousands of people wanting to march together on Washington and many other sister marches were also being organized throughout the country and even the world.

Mid-January was our first local march, a sister march in Columbus for the larger Women's March on Washington a week later. You really wanted to go, but seeing as how I am new to activism and marches, I thought it might be best for you to sit out the first few I attend so that I can get a feel for safety levels (little did I know how amazingly safe these women's marches would be).

Anyway, Lao Lao and I attended the march on our own. Here are some photos from that very, very cold day.

we all pinned these signs on our clothes,
along with the signs we carried

the banner at the very beginning of the march

there were hundreds, perhaps over a thousand at this march

this woman had buttons from marches
spanning 40+ years

these women could not go to DC next week so the two
on the ends sent their signs with Lao Lao and the other
woman so their message could reach DC

it was inspiring to see the vast age range of marchers

The next week was spent preparing for our trip to DC to participate in the main Women's March. Straight from the website, this link explains the meaning behind the Women's March on Washington.

One of the many unifying details of the day were pink "pussy hats". Many of the women had been knitting and creating these hats as a back-handed slam/symbol against tRump's phrase "grab them by the pussy" that came to light during the campaign. We were basically reclaiming the word (in a more playful way), using it from a place of power as women, and also sending a big message to tRump that his disgusting behavior will not be tolerated. Regardless of that, our pink pussy hats became a symbol of unity and power and were everywhere in the days leading up to and the day of the big march. I even made my own, and of course you wanted one too.

Even though I would only be gone in DC for a day, you made sure to make a self-portrait and a sweet note for me to take so that I "wouldn't forget you". So sweet.

"Plz be careful I hope you have a good time"
(green for good luck)

With my beautiful artwork in tow and very early on the 22nd, Lao Lao, Kristy, and I started our journey to DC. The first picture was taken by a local reporter who actually made us part of the daily news cycle. I even got a message a couple hours later that a friend had seen me on the morning news. When we finally boarded the plane, it was nearly full of pink hats just like mine. It was phenomenal and inspiring, and more than just a little hint at the impact this day would have. In fact, this march turned out to be huge, not only in our nation, but worldwide!

As soon as we got into the subway in DC, the protesters' energy was palpable. Even the subway trains were so packed with marchers that we couldn't pick up any more people for the last few stops and once there, the underground tunnels were teeming with hundreds of strangers already chanting in unity and strength as we slowly made our way back up to daylight again.

not even above ground yet and the marchers are getting excited

Finally we made it to the march site. It was surreal ~ hundreds of thousands of people with signs and pussy hats as far as the eye could see.

on the National Mall

To say that it was a moving and inspiring day would be an understatement. It was phenomenal to stand with all of those people who were feeling all of the same feelings as I was and sense how much power there was (and is) in our collective voice. Evidently, that collective voice grew louder and louder throughout the day. Daddy said that all day long the news channels kept covering not only DC, but march after march in all kinds of cities, big and small, in our country as well as in other cities in countries around the globe. When it was all said and done, the Women's March on Washington had stretched itself around the world (even to Antarctica!) and had become the largest single day protest in U.S. history. Pretty awesome.

There were plenty of moments when I wished that I would have had you with me, standing there together, making history. But there were also some other harrowing moments when crowds were a little too tight for comfort and I was relieved that you'd sat this one out. It was a tough call. But...at the rate this year is starting in this country, I'm guessing there will be other opportunities for you to join me in some activism. For the time being, I brought you a souvenir ~ a double shot glass with the Democrat donkey on it. Totally appropriate gift for your 8 year old, right?!

With all of the good hub bub of the marches, we had some negative mojo come our way as well in January. Poor Suzy injured her knee one night when she was running around the yard. She came back in limping and wouldn't use her right rear leg. We had no idea what had happened.

We took her to the vet after a few days and it didn't get better. We found she had torn her PCL and needed surgery. Oy. That was tough, but what's even tougher is that she has a 13 week recovery ahead. As much cage rest as we can force on her. Minimal walking, no running, no jumping, no stairs. We basically have to carry her or lift her everywhere. And she's a heavy little spark plug! But we love her...so, here we are.

I had to climb in the cage with her initially

yikes!

Thankfully Suzy isn't the only one getting use out of her cage. When she is busy snuggling with Daddy and I and watching Netflix, you kids are enjoying your new "fort".