On Sunday we had an activity for all the Sunday School kids where they talked about Social Justice, fairness, and how protests can be an instrument of social change. Then we had a protest march. (Have I previously mentioned how COOL our church is?)
The kids made signs -- "Save the rain forest," "Fair wages for workers," yada yada yada. Pick your pet cause.
So we went upstairs to do our protest march and I ran into my husband, who was also helping in Sunday School. You have to know my husband's history for this to be truly meaningful -- in high school we called him "Alex P. Keaton," you know, the right-wing Young Republican who idolized Richard Nixon on "Family Ties"? Let's just say that even when he was 8, my husband was "the man." He buys into every ounce of that corporate America bullshit mumbo-jumbo. Still does. He's in management at a Fortune 500 company. And yes, some days that does make me physically ill. However, as I am not gainfully employed and do not presently wish to be, I live with it. Anyway, husband is a great guy but in his frat-boy days he was right in there with all the homophobic assholes, cracking jokes and generally being rude. Until I got ahold of him again and proceeded my "reeducation campaign." Chairman Mao would have been proud of me. He now has a much healthier attitude toward people and who they love; i.e., he has progressed from Neanderthal to relatively civilized homo sapiens.
So into the sanctuary marches my husband -- carrying a sign with a big wedding cake drawn on it. On top of the cake are two grooms, and above them the words, "Marriage equality!"
Oh. My. God.
I wish, wish, wish, WISH that I had had my camera along. WHAT was I thinking? I almost always have it with me ... and I missed it.
But I will forever have the memory of my husband, carrying that sign (which he didn't make -- but the fact that he carried it? HUGE.), and grinning at me because he knew it would totally make my day. Which it did.
Marriage equality. Looks like Alex P. Keaton has come a long way.
Mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend. Scrapbooker, family historian, reader, cook, photographer. Volunteer. Political junkie. Springsteen fan. Loves deeply, strives daily to be a cheerful, kind and generous person. Fails regularly. Snarky, judgy and more than a little blunt. Some people don't appreciate my style. If you're one of them, that's ok. Get your own blog.
Is that supposed to be a good thing? What kind of church do you go to?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteOh Jennifer! Your very first TROLL! I'm so proud of you! Hooray for the Anons who can't click the links! Woohoo! It's a fabulous day on the Internets!!
ReplyDeleteRemember that one episode when Alex wore the NOW button to attract some girl? Hee. That's how I see your Alex (though I've only known him in his enlightened days!)
Hey anonymous. I go to a church where everyone respects each other's differences, where children are taught that they are unique and precious and beloved by their community, where god in his/her many names is kind, just, wise, and above, all, loving.
ReplyDeleteA church where people are valued for who they are, not who they love. A church that recognizes there are many paths to the divine, and each person must decide for him or herself what the path for them is. A church where my children are growing into thoughtful, kind, caring human beings who are capable of integrating thought and belief. A church where all around them are examples of people doing for each other -- where they see the impact of service in people's lives, both those who serve and those who are served.
In attending this church I remind myself every week what I believe in, and I am profoundly grateful to have such a community where truth, kindness, integrity, and honesty are valued.
But you probably wouldn't understand any of that.
Fantastic story J! Sounds like a fabulous, open-minded, forward thinking church. And yes- you all get my vote for marriage equality.
ReplyDeleteFrom the NOT anonymous, and not afraid to say so...me.