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.