Weekend Warriors and Sunny Showers

Yesterday, women (and plenty of good men) around the country marched. Feminist icons rallied the crowds, availing themselves, as stars often do, of the soapbox that comes with fame. The loudest message, though, was in the numbers, the sheer volume of humanity, filling up the empty spaces that had been so prominent only a day earlier, at the inauguration. Being present, being heard.

I didn't march yesterday, but I too was surrounded by good, strong women (and a few good men). Icons of a different sort, the ordinary folks who have accompanied me on my journey through motherhood, a community of extraordinary people who have helped shape my daughter's life. Sometimes loudly, sometimes not, but always, always, by being present -- even when they are not physically close.

Wedding season has arrived for our children who are in their late twenties, and we have begun to revel in our collective joy, proud villagers passing off the baton to a new generation of well-raised adults. For years, we have celebrated together, grieved together, and yes, we have even criticized and been downright nasty, but we have always kept our eyes on the prize. No matter what our careers, no matter what our hobbies, we all take pride in the decency and the love we have fostered, in the knowledge that we have done our most important job well, mistakes notwithstanding.

I didn't march, but I was, nevertheless, overwhelmed. On the most feminist of days, I was completely overwhelmed by the most girly of events, a wedding shower for my daughter, planned with abundant love and creativity and energy (and, no doubt, a good bit of coin). Women doing the things that might not seem all that significant in the grand scheme of things. Silly things. A menu tailored to my daughter's preferences. Vases made of tomato sauce cans, floral centerpieces surrounded by stalks of raw spaghetti. Everybody played a role, and together, with the guests, these women made my daughter (and me) feel as loved and hopeful and blessed as anyone could feel. Even Mother Nature was inspired, giving us a cloudless, warm day in January.

Women do great things every day, on scales large and small. And whether they're speaking loudly on a soapbox or silently filling up urban spaces or wearing "pussy hats" or dressed to the nines for a wedding shower for a friend in January, their impact is immeasurable.

Today, I salute women everywhere, but particularly the great women who made yesterday so special for me and my daughter, and all the other women who have been present, at one time or another, for this most incredible journey.