Young again

Over the Memorial Day weekend, S and I went to a holiday party at his former colleague's parent's house.

S is lucky to work with a lot of people his own age, or even a bit younger, who are just out of college. What they lack in sage workplace wisdom, perhaps, they make up for in fun times, and the ability to crack a joke and enjoy hanging out with one another. I have been very impressed with my guy's ability to make work friends and to keep them even as he or they switch jobs.

It was really nice to meet a few more of his work time buddies, and to discover that I fit in with them and that I liked them very much too! For an evening, I got pretend like I was part of the gang, just starting out, footloose and fancy free. So what if S's 23 year-old friend referenced his "old" 27 year old co-worker? In moments like this, I was content to be simultaneously self-satisfied and horrified with my decidedly senior status.

S and his buddies chatted, chowed down, and played polish horseshoes with a 7-year old cousin of the host. I got to know them all better, hear what they really think of their bosses, and warm myself as the night cooled down by a pretty awesome fire pit.

For someone almost 30, I was feeling pretty young!

What is ordinary and extroadinary

Refuse to give in to the minor complaints of the day, and chose to live in moments where you are truly grateful for each breath, each connection, and each chance to make the world a little brighter. Life is an extraodinary gift for those who recognize it, and an endless opportunity for ordinary people who chose to see it that way, no matter their circumstances.

Take your mom's advice

The summer really is here now. Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, the air is balmy, and I have a craving bordering on obession about being near the water, as if I'm a premordial salamander beign called back to where I belong.

Thankfully, my mother in all her wisdom reminded me just last week that Walden Pond is 30 minutes away and I should really get my butt over there. So I did. The Cape will wait, the Blue Hills are walking distance, and the boat house will save me a kayak. So we went to Walden Pond, and I couldn't help but feeling that just a day or two in this place could clear your head and get you back in touch with God.

Sure, there were little children screaming and people smoking and bugs everywhere, but there was still more silence, stillness and peace there than my in office or at home anyday. Isn't it funny how being together in nature can feel more quiet and relieving than being alone in the confines of a building somewhere in a suburb or city? It's interesting.

Also, for the record, my boyfriend is the kewlest person on a nature trail...ever. Most people hike hunched over with a walking stick, but this guy looks like a movie poster whenever we take a stroll in the woods. It's a special treat.

Lucky ducks

One of my favorite parts of childhood was vacations where we got to go to the beach. Now that I’m grown, one of my favorite parts of life is living near the water.

Whether it’s a trip down to the Cape, or kayaking on the Charles River, there’s never a marine experience too far away.

This past weekend we went to an event in Rockport, MA, and we were in awe of the gorgeous waters in the harbor surrounding the town. It was a bright blue day after much rain, and the place was beautiful.

There’s just something about it - the water is refreshing and rejuvenating and makes me feel more alive.

How lucky we are to live here.

Better Angels

"President Obama sought to embrace the identity of a compassionate, loving, and concerned God, who cares for all His/Her children in this attempt to help every American gain the right to live their lives in the pursuit and achievement of love. This God, of which the President spoke of, has time and again valued love over legality, acceptance over adherence, and humanity over humiliation. Paul teaches us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation."

To read the whole blog, visit YDA's page here.

An inspiring little lady

When I came across The Ruby Jane Foundation, it really touched my heart. Ruby is a sweet little one who lost her battle with a rare disease while waiting for a liver transplant. In memoriam to their little girl, Ruby’s parents started a foundation to encourage us to consider becoming an organ donor, so that others might receive the life-saving gift that did not come in time for Ruby.

I think it is so noble that a family would turn their tragedy into a story of real hope for others. I also agree that more needs to be done to educate ourselves about donation. Living donation is most common for the kidney, liver, bone marrow and blood. Other donations posthumously made can be thoughtfully planned to respect the wishes and needs of the deceased while simultaneously increasing the years and quality of life of the recipient.

Organ donation is a very personal decision that comes with risks and benefits, but for me, it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.

Thank you, Ruby, for reminding us how very much we can help one another.

"If I look at the mass I will never act."

“Jesus said love one another.”

Mother Teresa

We're 6!

Today marks S and my 6th anniversary as a Facebook official couple. In May of 2006, I made S wait until our college finals were over to declare our formal "like" for one another. Our like grew into love, and with some laughs, some tears, and some cats along the way, a lot more love.

We celebrated our anniversary with a bit less bravado than last year's big 5, by heading west to a little spa near Smith College.

We luxuriated in an outdoor hot tub and enjoyed our first professional couple's message, which was a little weird, but mostly nice. After the massage, we were both so relaxed, that dinner and coffee after seemed to float on by, despite the fact that it was Cinco de Mayo in a college town, and people were actually going nuts. If you're the kind of person who hates the Christmas shopping rush or other spastic times of year, I recommend you get a massage during those times, it will completely zen you out.

S and I have grown so much in this relationship, and it is a true joy to call him my best friend...and my favorite comedian, biggest confidant, teacher, co-cat-parent, cheerleader, dance partner, bandmate, and sometimes even my TIMS (inside joke).

Happy anniversary, S! With love.

Speak out

I am thankful for this post today.

Being a straight ally can be more complicated in this day and age than being an advocate for almost anything or anyone else. However complicated, standing up for LGBTQ equality in one's state, country and around the world is necessary and right.

Because gay, bisexual, and transgendered/sexual people are people - our parents, our children, our sisters, our brothers and our beloved friends - we have work to do. In our hearts, in our homes, in our schools and neighborhoods, and literally by God in our religious communities, we have some serious work to attend to.

My prayer is that we do not let our own comfort or advantages keep us from speaking out on behalf of the oppressed. We are all here together, and these people are our people.

For more information, discussion, and to get involved:

Human Rights Campaign
Straight But Not Narrow
The Gay Christian Network

Going saaaailing

After reading the freebie book 212 degrees post-work-conference last year, I wrote down a list of all the things I really wanted out of life, should I take the chance to get off my butt and do them.

Sure, 212 degrees is about workplace motivation and productivity. But, I don't need all that much help in that arena. It's after a long day at work when I've given it all I can and stayed on mission and pushed my colleagues and myself to be our very best that I want to go home, eat potato chips, and not invest in my personal life.

But since reading 212 back in 2011, my personal goals, written down at the airport to kill time while waiting to fly back home from said work event, have not ever totally left my psyche. One of them was learning how to snowboard, and another of them was learning how to sail.

Growing up, one of my favorite people was my uncle, and one of my favorite places was his home at a marina, located on the eastern shore of North Carolina. Though I am a city girl, there was something about listening to the water lap up the sides of the boats docked at that marina - the feel and smell of that soft, wet, gritty sand on the shore - that put me at ease and made me feel most at home. I've realized that I want to carry of piece of my uncle with me through this life, through my love of his lifestyle on the water, by being able to sail like he did.

As it usually happens, when you plant a dream and trust that it can come true, opportunities present themselves that allow that to happen. Several months ago, in the thick of winter weather, I came across an organization called Community Boating, Inc., right here in Boston, whose mission is to make sailing available to the city. I got so excited, but parked the dream away, because it was bitter cold outside and I was focusing on snowboarding.

Just the other day I thought to check back on Community Boating, and low and behold, they were holding an open house, and on that day (Saturday) their already reasonable membership was significantly discounted.

S graciously accompanied me as I did a mediocre job navigating the streets of Boston to actually find the open house, and after I signed up for my membership, and we joked about me being in boat school like my cartoon alias Sponge Bob Squarepants, we went to orientation with the Executive Director of Community Boating. It was a windy but gorgeous day outside, and I couldn't help my amazement - when you wait upon a dream, it can truly present itself.

So throughout the spring, I'll be in "boat school." This week I'll be attending rigging and shore classes, and maybe even take my verbal test to become a solo sailer. If the weather works with me and I can advance fast enough, I'll even get the opportunity to attend mainsail and helmsman class this season.

I am beyond excited to learn how to sail. I thank God for the small hints and nudges placed in my life which lead to larger opportunities. I hope my uncle is proud too.