Debra, my beloved Nasty Woman

Debra has been a wonderful wife and mother for thirty-nine years;  loving, nurturing, patient and, if it is possible, even more devoted as a grandmother since our son’s daughter Joan was born two years ago.
When I leave to tend to our grandchildren she always says, always-
“Hug and kiss my grandchildren for me.”
Tomorrow, at one of our favorite restaurants, those grandchildren, their parents, their co-grandparents and their aunt and uncle will all meet to celebrate Joan’s birthday. All those people who love and cherish her sparkly eyes and crooked grin will attend-all but Debra, her loving grandmother Bebe, because Debra will be at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza marching in solidarity with women across the globe, women whose lives and work have been undervalued, wisdom disparaged, education denied, dignity soiled, bodies reduced to sources of entertainment and utility.
She last attended a political rally some thirty-four years ago to denounce the expansion of nuclear weapons. She marched then for the future of our son.
She marches tomorrow for the future of his children.
Debra and her sisters-in-spirit will march to denounce the man whose words and deeds have marked him unworthy and grossly unsuited to lead the nation he claims to love.
She will miss the opportunity to look into Joan’s eyes and wish her a Happy Birthday, because to not join her voice to those of these women would make it difficult for her to ever meet those young eyes.
She will forego this celebration that she might help her granddaughter’s future…and I have never been more proud of her.