On Wednesday, Nov 3, Luke and I went to see a movie. It was our first movie theater experience in about 9 months. Wedding planning, traveling, other people’s weddings — all of these things plus just being busy people took precedence for a long time. But on this day, feeling deflated and sad, we just desperately wanted to escape reality for a couple hours, and no turning-out-the-lights-and-watching-tv was going to do it for us.

Ironically, we chose “I (heart) Huckabees,” a movie that is all about a man’s relationship to reality. It was hardly escapism, although it was diverting for a couple hours.

On the walk home from the theater, Luke stopped to buy gladiolas from a deli. He bought a bouquet with five stems and some blade-like leaves. None of the gladiolas were in bloom, just buds on stems.

At the time, it struck me that Luke was buying hope. The optimist in him was buying futures on beauty.

Today is Friday, and the glads are just starting to bloom. They turn out to be a gorgeous hot pink.

I know these gladiolas won’t last forever, or even more than a week. But until then, they will offer some comfort, and reassurance, that I, and almost 50 million other Americans, will eventually see a brighter day. I am looking forward with hope to a day when the government doesn’t tell me who I can marry, or judge who I can love. When wars are fought as a last resort. When the leadership of our country doesn’t condescend to us with made-up doomsday scenarios about weapons of mass destruction that can land on our shores in 45 minutes if we don’t strike first. When rich people in politics don’t use their offices to make themselves and their friends richer, while denying funds and assistance to the much less fortunate.

On Wednesday, I just wanted to escape. I realized, though, that staying in New York was a kind of escape. After all, New York and the rest of the Northeast might as well be another country. Now, instead of running away, I want to fight. I am resolved not to roll over when the current administration nominates a Supreme Court justice that wants to use the U.S. Constitution to deny Americans rights, to marry whomever they want, or to do what they want with their bodies.

Declaring that he has a “clear mandate” is ridiculous! A fraction over half the country’s voters is barely decisive. I’m sorry. As far as I’m concerned, EVERYTHING is fair game for a fight