Freedom For and From Religion

Freedom for and from religion are the same thing. It is important for all of us to protect that freedom.

As a “born-again” Christian and mother of two gay sons and with a grandchild who is transgender, I appeal to you to not foster the misunderstanding, prejudice, and persecution of future generations by ignoring that laws are being passed that contribute to those. Currently, there are laws in state legislatures that are aimed at preventing any acknowledgement in public school texts or classes of the reality of LBGTQ genders or relationships. There are numerous other laws being considered that are much more discriminatory. We are a democracy. Silence is consent.

Homosexuality is not a choice. My great-great aunt on my father’s side had the intelligence and courage to become a pediatrician and establish a clinic for poor children in the early 1900’s. Her family never spoke of her because she lived with one woman all her life. On my mother’s side, a great-aunt, with education and intelligence, but noticeably masculine traits, lived a quiet, but obviously lonely life. My brother has been in a monogamous relationship with one man for over thirty years.  My son and his partner of over twenty years teach at an orphanage for children born HIV positive in South East Asia. A very intelligent grandchild with an incredibly caring heart and talent in both music and art is transgender.

There is research that suggests that there are several genetic variants that may play a part in LGBTQ sexual orientation.

Sixty years of marriage convinced me that the commitment relationship of marriage is designed to both challenge and enable us to come to truly know and grow in love for another imperfect human being. I have also recognized that sex isn’t just for pleasure or even propagation. It is an integral part of intimacy and learning to love unconditionally. To me that is not only the purpose of life, but its greatest achievement.

Christians, please don’t contribute to denying future generations of people, who didn’t ask to be born different from the majority, understanding and the opportunity for loving and being loved as the person they are.

Even though discrimination in its many forms may not affect you personally, if you agree with my understanding, please help by emailing, calling, or snail mailing your legislators.  There are bills being passed quietly in most states that will contribute to and continue prejudice that provokes not only violence, but suicides by many young people in our times. Please be an advocate for them and future generations.

Tricky

Powerful and so true. A good reminder when I judge someone else and want to give up on them.

The Renegade Press

“Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

There has always been a lot of conjecture about the true ownership of the quote above. While most people believe that it belongs to a Scottish author by the name of Ian Maclaren, there are some that attribute it to Plato, or argue that it was Philo of Alexandria who first uttered the phrase. Regardless of who owns it, the simple, yet profound meaning it conveys speaks volumes, especially in a world where we so often feel as though we are struggling, and forget that we are not alone.

Every single person in this world is living through their own unique version of reality. And in that reality, they are fighting battles both within themselves, and with the world around them as they try their best to survive. While some people face battles that manifest themselves as physical…

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IT’S AMAZING (GRACE)

Oh how sweet! Yes. A funny memory: My almost four year old granddaughter who mostly only used sign language for expressing her needs was riding in the back seat for the hour trip to my house. Speaking to her didn’t bring any response, so I decided to lighten up the boring drive on the Interstate. I started singing. I am tone deaf unfortunately, and my granddaughter, like many who deal with Autism, has perfect pitch. So, after a few lines of the song, she said clearly and emphatically, “Don’t sing, Nanu! Don’t sing!”

Fat Beggars School of Prophets

We keep (and are raising) a three year old here at the Fat Beggars Home for Widows, Orphans, and Sojourners.  Like pretty much all the kids who live (or pass through) here, she struggles to overcome developmental, social, and academic delays.  As such, she does not, as yet, speak in complete sentences – certainly not elaborate ones.  Rarely more than word pairs.  However, she can and does sometimes sing a whole verse or two of a song.

Despite her limitations, she strikes me as very smart.  She is quite expressive.  Even if we must remind her to use her “big words” several times in even short exchanges, she seems to be a modern woman in the making.  She mysteriously conveys the idea that she knows what she wants and how to get it.  (Her secret agent name is Secret Agent Sassafras or “SAS”.)  We are remote learning/home schooling during…

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