A Monumental Week

June 26, 2013. Many events in history seem to become monumental in hindsight; it's only in the looking back that we are able to say, wow! Only in the looking back are we able to see how life changed, for better or for worse, due to such events. This week's events happened in a way that required no such hindsight for their wow-ness factor; in hindsight, the events of this week will only continue to be more beautiful as the tapestry of an [ever growing] enlightened humanity becomes more brilliantly colored.

I could not be more thrilled about Wednesday's decisions and what they really and truly mean for us personally, but I believe the ripples of goodness stretch far, far beyond what we are likely to realize presently. (but the Voters' Rights decision is still a bit mind-boggling to me!) At the end of the day, I am thrilled for our entire nation--those who continue the fight for equality and those who are still adamantly against it. Whether they ever see the rightness of the decisions made, equality, fairness and justness are good for the health of our nation as a whole--including those who oppose. President Obama's response was fitting: "When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free." The health and peace of a nation--of all humanity--depends on such things as equality and fairness.

Our Constitution's Preamble states: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. We are still far from the perfect Union, but when we throw a bit more equality for all into the mix, we have indeed stepped closer.

Ciao & Namaste.

Personally, the thought of being six short months away from a life in New York where our marriage will be legally recognized on the state and federal level makes my soul do a little happy dance.

The process

With a move six months on the horizon, I've been contemplating my months years in Louisville. A two day ride on a greyhound bus brought me back from Spokane and I still recall the apprehension I felt in the darkness of that long ride. The thought of my family brought a smile, but beyond this, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or going to do. My only plan was to find a plan.

Oddly enough, the plan that landed in my lap became the source of some of my highest moments as well as my lowest. During these years, I experienced the very best of human kindness and felt the horrendous blow of corrupted power. I grew in personal confidence, but I also saw my own flaws flare like fireworks on the Fourth of July. I viewed life from the mountain top and slammed rock bottom as quick as a flash. What threatened to crush me pointed me in the direction of my greatest happiness and fulfillment. Funny how that works.

It has taken me a while to reach this point, but I am grateful. I am grateful for the process--the painfully slow, torturing process we call life. My life is nothing like it was ten years ago, but I am who I am today because of everything I've experienced. It is part of my story--my voice. The process has carved out more of my true self, the self that always seemed to be inside, waiting patiently, but craving to breath fresh air.

Over the top of my computer screen, I see this Love I now call home. Yeah...you better believe I'm grateful.

the beginning

A new stage of the journey calls. Sometimes life reaches a plateau; it is up to you to decide if that plateau is to be home or if it is a sign to make a move. In my case--in our case--it is a sign to make that move.

My ever beautiful life took an extraordinarily ecstatic turn a few years ago. Not only did I meet the love of my life, but I also became absolutely and irrevocably alive. Sappy, maybe, but I was most assuredly blindsided by this love I now call home. If you are ever so lucky as to meet her and feel her heart, her energy and her love for humanity, you'll know that she is quite a force to be reckoned with; trust me, you'll never be the same.

Our passions in life are quite similar with different twists and quirks here and there. Our heart is set on peace and helping souls from differing cultures and backgrounds learn to listen, understand, and communicate with each other in order to create the safe and respectful dialogue that is needed for this peace.Everyone has a story, a journey, a series of events that make up who they are today, and people need to know that someone is listening to their unique story--their voice.

What does this have to do with eight million plus two? I'm so glad you finally asked! We are in the process of moving to the land of New York City. I'll finish my degree in December and we will trek to the North that is calling. She will finish her degree in NYC and we will live, work, play and love in the city of 800 languages. (For accuracy's sake, NYC currently has 8.4 million, but eight point four million plus two seemed a little too mathematical to me.)

So, we have six months to plan, to work, to finish school, to save, to pack and to see any of you who want to see us before we leave. I hold such deep gratitude for my life and my beautiful family and friends; this new level of happiness, peace and contentment with the Love I now call home is beyond belief and has taken my gratefulness to new heights. 

Ciao!