Precious Moments - Welcome Our New Family Member

There are precious moments in our lives that serve as timeline markers - the birth of a baby, a marriage, the death of a loved one.  This weekend our family decided to add a little-one to our brood. His name is not yet set in stone - we're officially bringing him home next weekend - but we're so excited to welcome him into our lives. 

Please help me welcome "Dwight". 

Keep passing the open windows...

When Parents Drink the Kool Aid

On November 18,1978, Jim Jones convinced the members of his sect to commit suicide and for some, that included killing their children first. Just about 300 children died that day. Today we look at that incident and ask, HOW did those parents allow anyone to convince them to kill their children? Unfortunately, it's still happening today in churches and other social circles all across America. Parents are allowing pastors, deacons and religious advisors to turn them against their children for being gay or transgender. Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year old transgender young lady, committed suicide recently. She felt she could not count on the support of her parents to love her unconditionally. Her suicide note detailed her struggle and her feelings of helplessness. 

I realize that some parents need time to accept and understand their children for who they really are, but at what point does a parent let anyone or anything come between them and their child?  

To the millions of gay and transgender teens out there - you are not alone, you are not a freak and you are a beautiful human being created in God's image. Your struggle is not forever and the ignorant folks who say and do things to hurt you are not the majority - even if they are the people you have loved and trusted your whole life. 

God is love. Love your children as is. No church service, worship or bible thumping will save you if you can't love your very own children unconditionally.

Rest in peace Leelah Alcorn and to everyone else, keep passing the open windows...

1st Day Of the Year

There are so many promises and resolutions we make to ourselves and others every first of the year. So many hopes and dreams we share with the world as if somehow proclaiming them at the start of the year will somehow make them so. Some of us believe the ritual while the rest of us know that change only comes when we're really ready - whether that's January or June.  So, are we really ready?  Weight loss, finance changes and even the promise to treat ourselves better, all hinge on that first step that is a genuine need to do better. 

Here's to 2015...no pressure, no worries...just working hard, playing hard and a commitment to accepting the present because it's all stress and heartache trying to live up to the resolutions and the litany of pipe dreams folks randomly toss out every January 1st. 

Keep passing the open windows...