Poetic Justice

And then my mom sent me this, which is a fabulous read well worth the time.

Why do we insist on hate when love can look like this?

Have you heard that Ken Starr -- and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund -- filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and attempting to forcibly divorce 18,000 same-sex couples that were married in California last year? The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days.

The Courage Campaign has created a video called "Fidelity," with the permission of musician Regina Spektor, that puts a face to those 18,000 couples and all loving, committed couples seeking full equality under the law.
Over 1 million people have watched this heartbreaking video. Will you watch it now? If you have the same reaction that I did, please help me spread the word by sharing it with your friends and family ASAP:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Divorce

The more people who see this video, the more people will understand the pain caused by Prop 8 and Ken Starr's shameful legal proceeding.

After you watch the video, please join me and over 350,000 people who have signed a letter to the state Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Starr's case.

Thanks.
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My sister-in-law just sent this to me. And it more than breaks my heart...it's heart-wrenching, and infuriating! I can't imagine what there could ever be to gain by divorcing such couples as these and so many others. I'd rather help people love than hate! Please speak out!

This just makes me happy!

It's a Girl

Jeff and I went in for an ultrasound a week ago and were so happy to learn that we're having a girl! Everything looks great! The baby was very active during the ultrasound. She moved her arms over her head, over her ears, crossed them over her chest, waved one of them. I, of course, still can't feel a thing, but it was fun to watch. Her little heart is beating perfectly, and the doctor said, "Well, the baby read the book; It's the perfect size and weight." (but if the baby only weighs 8 oz. it's amazing to me that I've gained 20 lbs. already!) So things look really good so far, and we're extremely excited!

It's a New Day!

Barack Obama is president elect and it's a NEW DAY! I couldn't be happier, more hopeful, and more relieved!

Dia de los Muertos

All Saint's Sunday is my favorite Sunday of the year. It seems a little weird I suppose, that I'd have such an affinity for a day that commemorates the dead. After all, Christianity is about resurrection. But for me, no rebirth is possible without the profound sense of agony that comes with the depth of loss. The Christian liturgical year begins with Advent, a time of preparation and anticipation. But for me, on a more personal level, the church year begins on All Saint's Sunday. This year, my church created a special altar where we could set photos of relatives whom we've lost to the sting of death. My mom had set framed photos of both sets of my grandparents there.



It was moving to see the entire community of saints, this incredible group of people who once lived this earthly life with purpose and now rest from their labors. But what was more moving to me, was when I walked by the pictures after taking communion. I paused at each set of grandparents. When I stood before the photo of my dad's parents on my parents' wedding day, I was entirely overcome with a flood of emotions which I still can't entirely articulate, not even two weeks later.


My dad's mom, Isabelle Mildred Bryant, died only two years after this photo was taken, so I never had the chance to meet her. But I've had the spiritual sense that I've always known her. It doesn't show up in this photo of a photo of her, but she was wearing a triple strand of pearls here. She looked so striking to me. with her stunning outfit. But it's her posture here that speaks to me. She's somehow so grounded, so strong even though she was plagued with arthritis for her entire adult life. Long ago my mom told me that had my grandmother had the chance to know me, she'd have adored me, and that I'd have felt the same way in return. So I've always felt like we were somehow kindred spirits. I've always felt her vicariously alive in me. Long ago, I decided that someday, if I were lucky enough to have a child, his or her name would include Isabelle or Bryant, and I wore my grandmother's triple strand of pearls on my wedding day in memory of her.

And so exists the mystery of faith, the life in the Dia de los Muertos.

Newfound Hope

I've never seen a more exciting political convention that this week's Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. And the political process has never moved me more, nor made me feel more compelled to talk about it. What a week! Each night as I sat before the t.v. listening to speeches, I was literally moved to tears. Ted Kennedy in his weakened state of health began the week with an impassioned speech that highlighted America's need for renewal. Michelle Obama continued with a moving tribute to the personal life of Barack, highlighting his love of humanity. Hillary Clinton stood firmly on Obama's side with a brilliant speech that unified the Democratic party like I've never seen before. She stood with confidence after having lost the party's nomination, and with grace and strength and dignity, joined Obama's side with enthusiasm. She was the epitome of Woman, and spoke heroically! The following evening Bill Clinton delivered a "warm-up" speech for Joe Biden and delivered it as no other than Bill Clinton can. He, like Hillary, set his ego aside, and vigorously proclaimed his support of Barack Obama and encouraged all listeners to do the same.

And I thought I'd seen some of the best speeches I'd ever see in my lifetime. They were poised and eloquent, inspirational, and rousing. They were simply marvelous! But last night's speech was so incredible I'm still trying to process the genius of it. When I watched Barack Obama deliver his nominee acceptance speech, I was transported into a place of profound personal and spiritual growth! Imagine how it would feel to have a president who could teach you something and make you feel empowered. Imagine a president who speaks with dignity about and to people with whom he profoundly disagrees. Imagine a president who is undeniably intellectual and captivatingly down-to-earth, both without affect. Imagine a president with genuine values and courage to hope. Imagine a president who is a lover of humanity! This is the image I saw and heard last night. And I felt like a new person today because of it!

As Jeff and I were reflecting this evening about the speech last night (which brought us both to tears!) Jeff noted that this week was like martial arts sparring with the Republicans. He explained that in sparring, you give little jabs with one hand to trick the opponent into thinking more jabs are coming, that that's all there is, but then you deliver the big blow with the other, unexpected hand. He said he thought this week's speeches were something like the one-tw0 punch, only the one-two before the punch were so powerful that when the actual punch came, it was crushing! And as is understandable, the Republican response has been minimal at best. Even Pat Buchanan said it was the best convention speech in history.

I'd grown so frustrated and disinterested in the American political process. I'd grown so tired of hearing lies and phony folksy vocal inflections to cover up unethical decisions. I'd grown so devastated by the image my friends in other countries have of my country. It's been a wearying eight years of disappointment and loss of faith in my government and sadly in people. How awful it's felt to lose hope. How physically sickening to writhe in sheer anger at the fact that the country of my being represents nothing I stand for and everything I loathe!

And then the last four nights fluttered in like butterflies and lit into my world a sense of resurrection! It's that renewal that Ted Kennedy spoke about. It's palpable and enormous!

And it makes me think about how important it is to stay firmly grounded in your deepest values and firmest beliefs. I makes me understand anew what it means to have faith in that which cannot yet be seen.

I'm basking in the light of an incredible man, a national treasure, and praying that the 38 million others who watched him speak last night were as moved as I was, and left with as much hope. This is a day of new beginnings!