Blogging for choice. Mine, yours and our children's.

It is Blog for Choice Day and I am a 35-year old woman who has had the privilege of growing up in a country during a time when abortion has always been legal.

This is not to say that there hasn't been struggle. There has been a war raging against reproductive justice since the day Roe v. Wade was handed down. I've been on some of those front lines with my painted signs held up on sticks and converging upon Golden Gate Park with every other women studies student from the west coast. I've written, taught, lobbied, debated, painted, peacefully discussed, yelled, strategized, lectured, read, protested and prayed on the right for women to choose abortion no matter what their reason, circumstance or experience, no matter who they are and why that is their choice.

Today, I choose to be vocal about reproductive justice in ways that look different but still carry the same intensity and commitment to keeping women safe and keeping abortion legal. And although I have not yet decided which presidential candidate I will vote for (although I am supporting two strongly), reproductive justice is my primary concern in this election.

That is why I think it is critical for all women, for the health and vitality of our country, that we all support choice and we all celebrate Roe v. Wade's 35 years today.

I am joining many other bloggers and many other feminist activists in raising my post high to uphold reproductive rights and access, and so that this legislation's birthday is a model for every other birth day -- chosen.

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Today, for WhyMommy

Today, I will give my boy an extra long good-morning hug, even if he wiggles out of it and even if he doesn't savor the sweetness of the moment like I will.

Today, I will send out warm thoughts to all the inspirational survivors I know, to all the people who have hearts and courage and hope stronger than violence, illness, injury, circumstances way beyond anyone's control. And to those who have safely boarded their flight to the next plane, and the family members they've left to continue their work on this planet.

Today, I will take more than one grateful moment to lift up the blessings and turn away from the challenges.

Today, I will revisit some of the posts and blogs I've admired by women who've chosen to write with rawness and eloquence and sincerity about the truth of their lives, whatever their choices and journeys have been.

Today, I will seek out an opportunity to do or say something kind just because I see the opportunity.

Today, I will call one of the many friends I've been meaning to call but haven't made the time to call but really, really want to call.

Today, I will send all my healing energy to WhyMommy who is on a journey through cancer with more wholeness, grace and honesty than any mother with cancer would ever be expected to have.

I won't ask you to get on board with all of today's to-dos. They are my own personal missions in honor of WhyMommy and in gratitude for the life I have right now, in this moment, at this time, today. But please do join me (and many others) in sending a prayer, a comment, a blessing, a bit of the love you have to give WhyMommy's way as she undergoes a double mastectomy and as she looks toward many tomorrows.

I pray that God holds WhyMommy in the palm of her hand and that all of the goodness sent her way will lift up this amazing writer, mother, wife, woman and give her peace.

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Don't kids know Fridays are for sleeping in? Gawwww.

Why is it that Lil E always wakes up early dark in the a.m. after a night of cranking through deadlines and getting to bed after 3? It's like kids have some kind of sleep deprivation Lo-Jack that hones in on the worst possible morning to wake up with a soaked Pull-Up (are those officially called Full-Ups?) or in the mood for the 812th viewing of Cars, this time pre-dawn.

He's going to ride out the day in soulful, relaxed contemplation on the couch with my mom, who has become skilled at flipping from cable channel to cable channel to hit as many Sesame Streets and Fireman Sams as possible in one sitting. He may just rouse himself enough to stick his hands in non-toxic paint for a little lazy art or dig through the snack mix to pull out all the "ooh, spiceeeee!" pretzels. Maybe stretch out on the living room floor to reenact his favorite Lightning McQueen moments I refused to allow him to watch at 6:30 this morning (it's like the Depression around here with all these restrictions, isn't it?).

Really, Fridays should be like that and I'm grateful his grandma is happy to spend the day soothing his overtired whining jags and coming up with calm activities to hold his attention and redirect his need to (you got it)to watch Cars after lunch.

I'm spending Friday running errands that seem to be way too many blocks apart (but not really, I'm just spoiled by keeping most of my business in a ten block Starbucks-bank-Jewel-playgroup-back to Starbucks radius) and finishing up the deadlines that somehow didn't get met at 3:15 this morning.

I did take some time with a full four-gallon coffee cup to read the paper and catch up on a little news from the world outside the futon where I camp out to write. What I found made me forget (just for a bit) how exfreakinghausted I am, how much work I have left to do and how close to hitting play on Cars I really was.

While you're winding down your week, take a moment with me:

This made me throw up a little in my mouth.

But this sidebar made me laugh. Crazy ass foodies.

This made me sad, angry and hopeful. I want to hold on to hopeful as I remember how trying recovery from a traumatic brain injury can be. Then it made me say a prayer and take note to look into whether the presidential candidates have responded to Bob Woodruff and veteran health issues.

This brought me back to what's real news: Celeb eff-ups and their lame ass "punishments." I am pretty sure checking out dead people will return LiLo to the sessy, talented role-model to grrrls everywhere. Ahem.

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