To my extraordinary children,

Sweethearts, today our country sees the change of power from a leader who believes in kindness, the good of all people, and the ability to solve big, scary, complex problems if we all use our words to a leader who is impulsive, erratic, and a bully. I want you to know that I tried very hard to make sure this new leader wasn’t elected, but in the end our country’s democratic process gave us this result instead of the one I wanted. I am not going to lie to you: I am frightened and so very sad. I thought we Americans, we *humans* were better than this. I thought everyone would easily be able to see through this bully’s act and judge him unsuitable to lead our country. But I was wrong, as adults sometimes are.

So now, we move into a new time of uncertainty. But I want you to know, my sweet little muffins, that your mama and daddy are fighting the actions of this new leader in every way we can. We might have to make some hard choices in the months and years to come, but our love for you and your safety and security are now and will always be our highest priority. I truly hope the things I fear will not come to pass, and I am working tirelessly to make sure they don't, but we have to be prepared.

As fiercely as I will fight to keep you safe, I hope you know by now that it isn’t just about us. We are all responsible for each other. For you, my little loves, are privileged in so many ways. You have opportunities and resources readily at your disposal that others only dream of and will work themselves to the bone over an entire lifetime, and often over generations, to realize. It is our duty to seek out and listen with open ears and hearts to those with fewer opportunities and resources and to use what we have to amplify their voices and advance the cause of equity for all. I know you know this because along with kindness, it is one of the topics we talk about daily.

Tomorrow, I will march with millions of other people across our nation and the world in protest of our new president. It is a privilege to be able to march without fearing for my life, or your lives. I am marching to not only represent you, our future, but the millions of people for whom marching would put their lives, families, or livelihoods at grave risk. I am marching to amplify their voices.

But I am also marching for myself as a woman, as a mom, as human being, as an activist. The coming years are going to require daily activism. It will be frustrating, exhausting, heartbreaking work. Being in a sea of people fighting for the same things you are is galvanizing and invigorating and marching will help me to focus on what needs to be done in the context of the daily grind of resistance.

Believe me, my little snuggle puppies, your mama knows what is at stake should her efforts fail. I am literally fighting to save this country for you. I have to have hope because every time I look at you I see the future and it is phenomenally bright. We are strong and we are brave and we can do this.

All my love,

Mama