This will be the first 4th of July in my whole entire life that I am not celebrating the 4th of July. Not so much a conscious political activist decision, but more of a gut feeling. Like when someone invites you to go to a party the day after a dearest loved one died. You really can't go to the party. If you do...you will only get nauseous.

I can't watch fireworks this year. I can't go to the neighbor's barbecue. I just can't.

Sooo... I was just going to sit home in the dark, watching some escapism movie on TV. But instead, I am going to an abortion rights protest being held on the 4th. The organizers said to wear black. And I will be wearing black. "I see a red door and I want to paint it black."

You mention at the end of your article a "sliver of hope." Well, there is that. I have made new friends after the leaked Roe opinion; I have found a community of women rising up in my small little MAGA town, from teenagers to little old ladies, all inspired to "get active" in ways they never had before. That is hopeful.

I think Republicans will soon discover they have stirred up a hornet's nest they were very unwise to stir up....