Theme Thursday: Triangle (2)

The first post (below) on the theme "triangle" is light hearted and fun. This, on the same theme, is more serious and heart felt.Please also see: Gay and Gray: An Elder Hero for Gay Humanity at Time Goes By.


Triangle Foundation of Michigan:

Mission Statement

It is the mission of Triangle Foundation
to promote equality and to secure
freedom from violence, intimidation and 
discrimination for LGBT persons
throughout Michigan.

 

Vision Statement

We envision a society characterized by a
strong commitment to universal civil
rights; safe communities, workplaces,
and schools; stable families; and
self-reliant LGBT individuals.

 

Sounds like a vision we can all debate and perhaps support, right? The kind of thing we might discuss in a variety of settings, maybe pro, maybe con. Theoretical. But what about when it becomes more personal? Then where do we stand? What about when it's our daughter or son, our granddaughter or grandson, our niece or nephew, our sister or brother?

 That precisely is why we must face our own biases, challenge our prejudices, educate ourselves with facts instead- because every LGBT individual IS a daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, niece, nephew, sister or brother.  Or maybe they're ready to emerge and are listening to our language and beliefs, watching our behavior to see if they can safely do this with us. And if they only hear negative judgments, how will they trust us as loved ones they can confide in, and, more importantly, how will they think and feel about themselves?

 All our children and grandchildren are listening and watching. What do they hear and see about their present or future selves? 

Lovingly dedicated to Judith and Kim.

Theme Thursday: Triangle

I don't know how to put my accompaniment under the video posted below for Theme Thursday "triangle" so here it is, inspired by PattiKen.
This is James Blunt singing a (funny and pertinent) parody of his song: "You're Beautiful" on Sesame Street.

Theme Thursday: Camera

I asked my husband for a recommendation of what to write about the Theme Thursday topic "camera". "Since we're learning Italian, why not write about the meaning of 'camera' in Italian (room)", says he. Then I read Patti's site (PattiKen and the Muses) and she's done it first and well!

So, instead I wanted to explore the concept of the camera loving certain subjects. I've heard that in the past: "Oh, the camera really loves her!" But I've never understood what that meant until my granddaughter came along and now I understand. The camera LOVES this child.

From an early age, in the most unlikely of places (the rain forest of Trinidad), they have found each other, the relationship has been forged. The camera has found her and is happy.

Theme Thursday: Candy

This is my favorite photo of my grandchildren.

Such a tender moment, sweet as candy.

Each Wrinkle Tells a Story

This post is in response to the prompt "wrinkle" issued by Theme Thursday.





I speak in praise of wrinkles.
Wrinkles are the calligraphy of our lives.

They identify us as respected elders, wise mentors, ancestors in training.
Each wrinkle tells a story.

Would I erase these story tellers as if they didn't matter?
Which ones?

Not the ones earned in the birthing, raising, loving and letting go of a daughter.
Not the ones from building countless sand castles at the beach with my grandchildren.
Or those whittled over years of working with and coming to love
the severely and persistently mentally ill.
Or even the ones etched at the death of a child before she was born,
whole and perfect but not yet able to live.
Those wrinkles mirror my being carved into a woman capable of compassion,
connected to every other person suffering loss and collapsed by it.
Each wrinkle tells a story.

I honor the wrinkles on my beloved's face
hard- won as he tenderly cared for his dying sister.
I cherish the ones from his teaching our grandchildren to love the ocean as he does.
I am privileged to know the story told by each of his.

We instinctively have a sense of witnessing when we see an elder's wrinkled face.
Each wrinkle tells a story.
What might happen if we stop and listen?

The Great Mystery

This week's prompt from Theme Thursday is "mystery":

We are surrounded daily
by the blessings of the great mystery.
We are part of that mystery.

We are connected to all that is.
With all our relations, we bring our gifts
to the sweet face of mother earth. Earth needs us.
We are gifted, clever, we have enough.

When we slow down, get in touch,
listen to that inner voice,
we re-dream our lives, heal, energize,
find new visions.

When we show up, pay attention,
we find our deep roots, discover mystery:
Our heart is dear and connected to all that is,
 all beings of all species for all time.

"I, I am the sacred words of earth. It is lovely indeed, it is lovely indeed." (Navajo poem)


Mary H. Warren
12/5/10