Every day I am more horrified by what is happening in this country. We live here because it is supposed to be a safer place to raise a family and it is supposed to offer more opportunities for all of us. Right now it feels like we live in a horror movie. I can’t believe that arguably the most sophisticated democracy in the western world is being hijacked by a single dictatorial egomaniac. Where are the checks and balances I was assured were in place? Why hasn’t he been disqualified due to conflicts of interest or outstanding lawsuits? How is he issuing one executive order after another, smirking smugly every time? Where are the branches of government that are supposed to prevent these outrageous laws from being passed?

At first I feared for my children because of the role model they would have at the head of their country, the only country that has ever  been their home. But now, it is much more than that. I fear for them because their gentle hearts have to witness the cruelty, discrimination, xenophobia and hatred that is spewing forth from our government. How are they supposed to make sense of a world in which their family and dearest friends are enemies of the state? In which there is no fair treatment of people, no kindness towards others? Especially when being fair is so important to them, and their family and schools teach kindness, respect and tolerance?

Thank goodness for the ordinary folk who are resisting.  For the people who will not accept the hateful things he is saying and doing. For the protestors who appear from every corner to march against his policies and proclamations, in  the streets, at the airports… For the pink hats everywhere. For my fellow Americans, whose families were all immigrants at some time, who will not be bullied. For those who believe this country to be the land of opportunity and freedom and who will not stand for its ideals and its constitution being defiled. I am so proud to stand among you and comforted to know that we are in this together. Thank you for showing me how much love and kindness human beings are capable of. Thank you for fighting back.

It is hard to know exactly what to do to show solidarity with the people of this country, and to help those most affected by the outrageous orders thus far… (Resistance is important, but hard! Petitions aren’t going to do it.) It is easy enough to make donations to ACLU or Planned Parenthood, but is that enough? And can they manage all the extra money that is pouring in and put it to good use? It is fairly easy to send an email or sign a petition too, but again, I wonder if this is enough? Marching is wonderful and very satisfying, and certainly sends a clear message, but is that enough? I haven’t yet figured out what else I can do. I find myself wishing I had a law degree or medical skills to provide practical help. But I don’t.

So what skills do I have that can be truly helpful, meaningful? I’m not sure yet. But I am coming to see that “it is the small every day deeds of ordinary folk that keep darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love” (Gandalf). I am beginning to see that being the best mom I can be, raising my boys to be kind, respectful, open-minded people, is already a lot. That reassuring the undocumented hispanic people in my life, that I stand with them, is already something. That being kind to people I don’t know, and respectful of the views and choices of friends, even when they differ from mine, already means something. There is a wonderful Women’s Day of Service coming up in Denver, which seems to be focused exactly on these kinds of acts of kindness (register here). I will do what I can. And I will keep looking for ways to fight back, and to be kind. Because it can’t happen here.