It's OK kids, Gay is alright

I watched a documentary on the Canadian TVO station  last night (www.tvo.org) titled, "Why Poverty" International Program.  It followed the work that has been done by Bono, Bob Geldolf, Bill Gates and company.  It delved into their past battle with the Bush administration to support more funds for drugs to treat those infected with HIV in Africa.    What struck a cord with me was the gay intolerance, the fear by some that the drugs would "feed" homosexuality.

I had a brief chat with a few occasional colleagues  about how I could never discriminate regarding sexual preference and have always had an "open" household. They did not agree with my choice.   My children understand gay.  I have gay friends.   They have been in the company of same-sex couples, and to them, it is the same as everyone else.  A same-sex couple lived two doors down, and I merely told the boys that the ladies lived together, just like mom and dad do.  They know that some of mom's friends, who are boys, also have boyfriends - no big deal, no complicated explanation.  We are all people who love.

I moved my oldest son to Ottawa ON this past summer and my middle guy noticed all the rainbow stickers in the various shop windows.  He said they were beautiful, and wanted to know why they were there.  I told him that the stickers welcomed everyone, including gay people,  to their business.  Aidan has drawn and painted many rainbows since our trip this summer.  Aidan has Autism, so he understands the need for acceptance, and here is one of his rainbows.

Find your rainbow, xo vagi

Kindness, Understanding & Acceptance

This past weekend, my son (who has Autism) and his group went to their usual place for lunch.  They encountered some issues, which were handled very delicately by his worker.  Aidan, like many children on the Spectrum cannot handle noise.  This situation involved a crying baby, and for Aidan, this is something he cannot tolerate.

The mother was offended and gave one of the other parents a difficult time.  There was no reason for her to do so.  Nothing was said to her and the group moved sure and swift to an alternate seating location.

My son, turned to his worker, knowing he could not handle it and said,

"  I just cannot have a meltdown today"

We work so hard to give our special needs kids a voice, he has one and his needs were respected.  In my world, a triumph!

To all of us, we all need reminders.  Be kind, don't judge and be accepting of those who, to you, seem different.  

peace and love,

vagi

Summer, how I miss thee!

The past few weeks have been all about "prepping" for winter:  leaves raked & mulched, patio furniture away, trailer put into storage.  It made me realize how great this past summer was and reflect on my "best" ones to date.  Don't get me wrong, I have had some shitty ones too - but the season of warm sun, beaches and bbq's puts all of us in a better mood, It is carefree and much more relaxed - in my experience.

So here they are, in no particular order:

1.  When I was 17,   lots of "camp" parties, underage drinking & skinny dipping!  My dearest friend, Nicole commented this past summer, how I cannot swim when sober, but shockingly could make it out mid-lake in the pitch dark, to her diving platform - we agreed that "drunk-swimming" should be a national sport.

2.  Pregnant summer at 26 in Barcelona - really, could that be any better?    Waddling down to the beach every morning to gaze at beautiful Spanish bodies, no drunk swimming - belly made floating a breeze!

3.  This summer - summer of  age 45 and new trailer purchase - lots of trips with family and friends, doesn't get any better.

So, I will wait for the spring thaw and plan more fabulous adventures for summer of 2013.  We make our own memories, cherish yours!  xo vagi