Learning is loving

I have been waiting a long time to make this post cause I have not had quite the right words. Anyone that knows me gets what that means for me. Words typically come easy for me. Sometimes however, with the really hard things, I have to wait for the words to flow from my mind in the right way. So here it is. I sat silent for most of last year. You can judge me for that if you want. But my year(2020) was spent watching my Mother slowly leave this earth, in the midst of a pandemic that, at that time, no one knew much about. The fear was still so palpable. Then mourning the silence she left us with in her absence. I had to choose my battle at that time. I had to choose where my fleeting energy went. I chose to be by my Mother's side, in a protected bubble necessitated by a pandemic that no one wanted But I watched, listened, heard. So much happened last year that hurt my heart further and it was just too much for me to deal with on top of my family's loss. But I'm here now, with the words finally in my heart. I want my position to be very clear. You want to know why it seems that all of the topics that make people so uncomfortable are so loud right now? Why does it seem like someone in the LGBTQIA community comes out every day? Why does it seem like people in any minority race speak on their experience so often? Why are people being so loud on such sensitive subjects? You wanna know? Cause they can! That's right. Gay, bi, trans, race..... They are speaking because they can. Because they should. All of these things have been here from the beginning of time, but now every story, every tear, every death, every triumph has paved the way for people to be treated equally and fairly. To be treated like the beautiful humans they are. We now live in an age where it is more acceptable than ever to speak your truth. Speak they should. But it is still hard for our brothers and sisters. It's hard because people hurt, people judge, people bully and criticize. But I like to think, or dream maybe, that those negative and judgemental people are now in the minority. Or at least quickly heading that way. There is a shift happening...an awakening. If you can't feel it, keep learning until you do. Our job here is real simple.  Love. Learn!!! Get out of your shell and learn something new about people. Love cause it feels better than judgement. Love in color and not just in black and white. Expanding our minds and our hearts is beautiful and strengthens our world.  I will personally take love any which way I can get it. The world needs far more of it. To those that are scared to speak, know that there are those willing to be at your side. We need more people willing to stand up against hate, against violence towards another human. Every voice has power. A united voice has greater power. Some people may think that I am only speaking up now because my child is both mixed race and gay, that it gives me reason to just now vocalize my feelings. That's only partly true. My journey towards learning to truly love and accept came long before my girl came out to me. I was already on a path to dissect the things that I held as truth my whole life. Examining what I thought I believed and realigning them so that my truth actually resonated with my soul. I'm still doing that, to be honest. What an incredible journey that is! Enlightening, refreshing, testimony expanding, beautiful. To any one in the LGBTQIA community, to anyone in an ethnic group.....I am a safe space. I'm here for you. I will stand up for you. I love you.