I am so glad that I finally woke up in 2003! At the ripe old age of 45!!!

[Kath1]

Until then I had been pretty much apolitical. I was a Democrat and leaned left but I really wasn't paying much attention. I went to Catholic church every Sunday. Then some friends from work invited me to go with them to the 2003 March For Women's Lives. I live in Baltimore so it wasn't far to go. Against hubby's wishes, I went. (Our marriage was already going down the toilet.) I thought I would go as a casual observer. I came out a changed woman. The energy of the crowd was amazing. The speakers really spoke to my heart. There was so much anti-war and anti-Bush sentiment that I felt in my soul but had not expressed. Most of all, I felt LOVE, that was sadly lacking in my life.There was so much LOVE and positive energy in that crowd. I said this is me. This is where I belong. It really changed my life. I joined the local NOW. Told ex this was the end of this charade of a marriage. I put away the pantsuits and put on the jeans. I ditched the contact lenses and went back to my very practical glasses. I, stupidly, resumed my cigarette smoking habit which I had quit for 6 years. I attended anti-war rallies. I quit going to church. I put the "Pro-family-Pro-child-Pro-Choice" and "I'm Pro-choice And I Vote" stickers on my car. Wore my peace symbol earrings and necklace to work every day despite the corporate "Support the Troops" meme. Ex (devout Catholic but total hypocrite) was hating me and everything I was doing. I filed for divorce and, eventually, got custody of our, then, 14 year old daughter.

The bottom line is that I LOVE living my life as a liberal and a progressive divorced woman! There are so may wonderful people in the anti-war and pro-choice movements.

I know I was late to the party but, better late then never! My Catholic conservative family considers me a nutjob but I don't care.

LOVING LIFE!!!

[madfloridian]

1. Nice post.

[Kath1]

10. Thank you.

I re-invented myself and love myself a lot more now. And I'm free to love others a lot more now. I'll never get married again but I do enjoy the company of men and I enjoy sex. If the right man comes along along, we can live together but no more marriage for this gal!

[NV Whino]

2. Good for you!

[Kath1]

7. That was an amazing event.

One of the best things I ever did!

[merrily]

3. great, Kath. So often, we hear a sadder story and offer support--and that's fine.

It's cool to support someone in being in love with her life, though.

[Kath1]

4. Thank you.

I had been living a lie for years. I feel free now.

[demmiblue]

5. Inspiring... I am glad you found your true self!

[Kath1]

6. Thank you!

So glad I did before it was too late.

[rusty quoin]

8. Did your daughter like the change?

[Kath1]

9. Wow!

Did she ever! She was 14. No more church, no more Catholic school, no more uniforms and a lot more freedom. Ex was a lot more strict than me. She missed her dad for a while, of course, and had visits but she was all for the change. Even more so as she got older. That house was nothing but stress and a bad environment. She loved the Progressive hippie lifestyle I took on. She's 26 now, college graduate and my dearest friend.

[rusty quoin]

19. I bet on that scenario.

I am truly happy for you. It would have been bad in the direction you were going if it continued. Let me say it again, I am truly happy you are here and not there.

I am about your age, but I was careful after a young age marriage. I was not about to again get into another unhappy marriage. And then I met my wife now. God I love her and she loves me.

I could go on and on, but we have two in college and one in middle school. Education is important to us and we want it for others.

There is no way we could ever go the route, "well we got ours..screw the others."

It is good to be a liberal.

[Fast Walker 52]

11. Rock on! Blessed are the peace activists!

and women's rights activist too!

[mmm413]

12. It took me awhile, too.

Don't feel bad. You changed. That's all that counts. You left the dark side. Feel liberated. The GOP is so restrictive. I was a Republican until 1987 (I'm older than you). First president I voted for was Nixon in 1972 (of all years). Voted for Reagan TWICE (and hang my head in shame). Then in 1987, when he baited Ghadaffi (sp), I decided who is this old fart who's putting my young daughter in peril think he is? And I've never looked back. Glad to have you Kath1.

[Kath1]

16. Glad to have you, too, mmm413!

Your story is much like my own. Yes, the GOP is very restrictive. And, yes I felt, and feel, VERY liberated. Sounds like you saw the light long before I did. Very cool that you thought of your dauhter when you had your change of heart. I haven't looked back, either.

Peace and love to you!

[MsLeopard]

13. Good job!

You've been through a lot but have come out of it as a champion. Kudos to you!

[FuzzyRabbit]

14. You are definitely NOT a nutjob.

Kath1, good for you. Too bad others in your family never learned to to examine their lives or think for themselves.

[Kath1]

17. Thank you!

I actually did convert my sister (3 years younger than I), who went from Catholic Church choir director and republican to liberal pro-choice agnostic. THAT was amazing. I think she saw how happy I was as a non-church-going and divorced liberal. I loved it when she pulled up in my driveway with her "OBAMA 2012" sticker on the car. My parents are lost causes who are addicted to the propaganda of Fox News.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. 2003 woke me up, too

The run up to the Iraq war made me start questioning everything I thought I believed. I had always thought I was a republican. But, issue by issue, I realized I wasn't. It took me a couple more years to support marriage equality, but I got there, too.

[Kath1]

18. I totally opposed that war.

Yes, issue by issue, I realized I was a pro-choice and anti-war Democrat. Now I am vocal about it. And I love it.

[roguevalley]

20. its good to be on the right side of history isn't it, Kath1. :D:D:D

[babylonsister]

21. A happy post-thank you, and am

so happy for you! Life is good when you do what you want. I am learning that.