Calling my elected official

Today I called the Indiana state attorney general. He is considering issuing a cease and desist order against Jennifer Williams. I called and spoke to one of his staff to let him know that I was opposed to the cease and desist order, and that a letter would be forthcoming. The staffer seemed well-acquainted with the case; I think others have already been calling.

I was planning on writing the letter already, but when I woke up this morning I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that made it hard to eat. The fear was back. This time it was not just the fear that homebirth families could lose one of their most valued midwives, but also the fear that I was going to have to make a phone call. I don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but I have something of a phobia with phones. I make Leo call for pizza. I'm definitely not a phone chatter; I only call friends or family for a specific reason, and then only if I know I'm not going to seem them sooner. And call someone of importance to make such an urgent request? Necessary, but heart-freezing. Stomach-curdling. Intestine-knotting.

But I did it. I had to write out exactly what I was planning to say, and I still managed to stumble on my words a little bit. But I got it done, and when I hung up, I laughed because it was so easy, and because it was DONE.

There is talk that the governor is interested in this case and may be sympathetic. Maybe I'll call his office tomorrow.