Finding Humanity Beyond Politics

Over the weekend, CrisMarie and I, joined a rally for Women's Reproductive Rights in Whitefish, MT.

Reproductive rights are such a personal issue to me, one that I believe transcends party lines—at least, that's the sense I get here in Montana.

I didn’t go because I think abortions are simply "okay" (even though I firmly believe they're a vital part of women’s healthcare). I went to stand up for a woman's right to choose, and for doctors to make ethical decisions about women's health without fear or hesitation. I went because hearing the stories of young mothers who lost their lives because they couldn't access the care they needed was gut-wrenching. Our systems should never let anyone down like that.

We went for women, and honestly, for humanity.

Politics and personal beliefs often blur together, especially during an election cycle like this one. But some issues go beyond policy debates and strategies. For me, reproductive rights and the freedom of choice are exactly that—issues that stand above all the noise.

What made the rally even more moving was a brief yet powerful moment with Senator Jon Tester.

We didn’t expect to see him there. It wasn’t a Democratic rally, after all.

Yet there he was, standing right behind us, just another person in the crowd. We snapped a photo with him, and I got a quick moment to tell him how much I appreciate that he brings a sense of humanity into politics for me.

When he spoke, it wasn’t about his campaign. It was about women’s rights.

I’ve met or listened to a lot of politicians, but very few feel as real, as genuine, as solid in their humanity as he is. I’m sure there are others out there, but our paths don’t often cross. This moment mattered to me.

We’re voting for Tester not because he’s a Democrat, but because he’s real, honest, and genuinely committed to Montana.

And we’re voting for reproductive rights, not because of political leanings, but because we believe this is an intensely personal decision. It’s not my place—or anyone else’s—to judge how someone should make that choice.

It’s rare these days to step beyond the right-versus-wrong, blue-versus-red mindset and just be humans, making room for other humans to live their lives as they need to.?

Honestly, when we find those rare moments, that’s where the divine truly lives.