...but this week has been brilliantly beautiful in spite of a pesky toothache. Because I've had dental problems, well...basically since before I was born, I'm familiar with the routine, so this week has been a waiting game for a Monday afternoon appointment that was canceled on Sunday due to a family emergency. Luckily, I stumbled upon a wonderful dental clinic in the area and am now pain-free. (and will proceed to blame all typos in this post on pain meds)
On the flying side of the week, one of my wonderful sister-n-laws experienced NYC this week or I should say NYC experienced the wonderful Nancy! It has been such an adventure to have her visit. She's missed already and we considered hiding all of her belongings in an attempt to force her to stay. I am so grateful to walk this journey with my most wonderful wife, which means I also have the joy of getting to know three lovely sister-n-laws. This week we've laughed, explored, experienced the uncles' general awesomeness, and walked a million miles; It has reminded me, anew, how incredibly lucky I am.
This weekend held another big adventure for me. In spite of the pesky toothache, I attended a PFLAG meeting on Sunday. Having never actually been a part of an LGBT group of any sorts, I was unsure of what to expect; I was unprepared for the level of kindness and beauty that confronted me. I am not usually emotional, but the human goodness I felt in this meeting was enough to move me greatly. It is hard to say what moved me more, the mother who sits at Pride Parades with a sign that reads, I love my gay son, the sixty-plus year old woman who was there for answers because she's just coming to terms with her sexuality, or the transgender woman who so beautifully told her story from tormented jock to happy and fulfilled business woman of today.
I left feeling as if I'd been refreshed and challenged to make this world a safer place for all. In this place of peace and safety, people had felt comfortable sharing their stories with others. I left with an excitement about the sheer goodness that still exists in the world. I also realized, once again, how grateful I am for my parents' acceptance and love for me, my wife, and my new extended family. So many LGBT individuals never receive this acceptance. Pop never fails to ask about the girls (aka my wife's sisters) and mom and pop's home and heart are always open to them. I owe so much of my outlook on life to my parents' beautiful love for all humanity and their sincerity in the expression of such.
I am excited about this new avenue of hope; by volunteering and sharing our story with others, I can be an extension of my parents' example of love and acceptance. I have been given much in this life in terms of love, and it is the very least I can do to share that love and kindness with others. Always.
No comments:
Post a Comment