ChrizJen
<font color=green>I am not a Koala Bear at the zoo
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2004
- Messages
- 4,650
(My "TR" about my experience on Saturday)
This is long, but I figured it was worth sharing. It was quite an experience for me...
When I got word via email that there were to be protests nationwide, and that there would be one here in St. Louis, I made the decision that I would be there. I committed some of my time over the past week to making signs and spreading the word of the event. In an effort to raise awareness of the protest, I sent emails to everyone I know. I simply sent the info to them, and left it at that. I figured I would let them take from it what they wanted.
So Saturday morning came, and my partner and I got bundled up in our layers of clothing, gathered all of the signs, and headed out the door. This was our first political protest, and I was psyched!! I was ready!! I honestly didnt know what to expect, but I was determined that even if the 5 of us in our group ended up being the only 5 people to show up, we were going to be the loudest, most energetic group of 5 youve ever seen! As we approached the Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis, I was amazed and a little overwhelmed by what I saw. We were there 40 minutes early, and already the steps and the sidewalk were packed!! It was such a rush of emotion that I cant even describe it. It was like pride and exhilaration all wrapped up in one. In all, we were told that over 1,000 people showed up. It was amazing.
But the most amazing of all was what happened next. When the sidewalk got crowded and the speakers began making their speeches, we decided that we might be better able to see and hear if we crossed to the other side of the street where there were fewer people. So when it was safe, we made our way to the other side. We walked to a small clearing right across from the steps where the podium was situated. And there he was. Standing alone there at the curb was my father. The mere sight of him brought a whole new wave of emotion across me, and it was everything that I could do to keep from weeping right there in front of him. And that was our moment. You know the one that people speak of, when something happens and youre able to look at your parents in an entirely different light? That was our moment. I fought back the tears that were flooding in, and I hugged him and thanked him for coming. He must have known from the look on my face just how much it meant to me that he was there, because he said, Baby, I wouldnt have missed it for the world!
Heres a little back story about my dad and me. Hes known for a while that Im gay, but we just never really talk about it. Its a silent understanding that we have. I grew up with strong Catholic influences, and I just always assumed that it was better left unsaid. So I dont bring it up. Hes respectful of my life, and Im respectful of the fact that there are some things that he just cant talk about. Its always been that way. So you can imagine how overcome I was with emotion and awe that my dad showed up to support me.
We stood side by side holding signs for an hour and a half, not saying one word to each other. Nothing needed to be said. He said it all by showing up. I dont know if his being there was because he realizes how important it is to fight this fight, or if it was simply because he knows how important it is to me. But to be quite honest, I dont care. I was moved to tears that day because he showed up in the bitter cold, fighting a terrible head cold, and wearing no gloves on his hands. He showed up. Thats all that matters to me, and he is a different person in my eyes for that.
...DAD, I LOVE YOU!! Thanks for being there! I hope you know how much it meant to me.
Love,
Christal
This is long, but I figured it was worth sharing. It was quite an experience for me...
When I got word via email that there were to be protests nationwide, and that there would be one here in St. Louis, I made the decision that I would be there. I committed some of my time over the past week to making signs and spreading the word of the event. In an effort to raise awareness of the protest, I sent emails to everyone I know. I simply sent the info to them, and left it at that. I figured I would let them take from it what they wanted.
So Saturday morning came, and my partner and I got bundled up in our layers of clothing, gathered all of the signs, and headed out the door. This was our first political protest, and I was psyched!! I was ready!! I honestly didnt know what to expect, but I was determined that even if the 5 of us in our group ended up being the only 5 people to show up, we were going to be the loudest, most energetic group of 5 youve ever seen! As we approached the Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis, I was amazed and a little overwhelmed by what I saw. We were there 40 minutes early, and already the steps and the sidewalk were packed!! It was such a rush of emotion that I cant even describe it. It was like pride and exhilaration all wrapped up in one. In all, we were told that over 1,000 people showed up. It was amazing.
But the most amazing of all was what happened next. When the sidewalk got crowded and the speakers began making their speeches, we decided that we might be better able to see and hear if we crossed to the other side of the street where there were fewer people. So when it was safe, we made our way to the other side. We walked to a small clearing right across from the steps where the podium was situated. And there he was. Standing alone there at the curb was my father. The mere sight of him brought a whole new wave of emotion across me, and it was everything that I could do to keep from weeping right there in front of him. And that was our moment. You know the one that people speak of, when something happens and youre able to look at your parents in an entirely different light? That was our moment. I fought back the tears that were flooding in, and I hugged him and thanked him for coming. He must have known from the look on my face just how much it meant to me that he was there, because he said, Baby, I wouldnt have missed it for the world!
Heres a little back story about my dad and me. Hes known for a while that Im gay, but we just never really talk about it. Its a silent understanding that we have. I grew up with strong Catholic influences, and I just always assumed that it was better left unsaid. So I dont bring it up. Hes respectful of my life, and Im respectful of the fact that there are some things that he just cant talk about. Its always been that way. So you can imagine how overcome I was with emotion and awe that my dad showed up to support me.
We stood side by side holding signs for an hour and a half, not saying one word to each other. Nothing needed to be said. He said it all by showing up. I dont know if his being there was because he realizes how important it is to fight this fight, or if it was simply because he knows how important it is to me. But to be quite honest, I dont care. I was moved to tears that day because he showed up in the bitter cold, fighting a terrible head cold, and wearing no gloves on his hands. He showed up. Thats all that matters to me, and he is a different person in my eyes for that.
...DAD, I LOVE YOU!! Thanks for being there! I hope you know how much it meant to me.
Love,
Christal
