Mrs_S92

I have such a hard time believing how violently folks can hate one another over something that just IS….

Maybe it’s because I’m an eternal optimist and a white heterosexual woman, and raised in a liberal state that has legally recognized same-sex marriage (Mass.) but I really, really don’t understand what all the hate and panic and fear is about. I was raised Catholic, and somehow I missed the sermon about how we were supposed to hate and fear people different from us (I was too busy listening to how Jesus loves all of us, I guess). Maybe that’s why I married a Jewish guy, I don’t know!

I dated a guy in high school who eventually “came out”. I love him as a friend, and what’s the big deal? At the same time, I am proud as hell to be from Massachusetts where our historical roots in Puritanism have been happily eroded by a history of rebellion – against tyranny, slavery, and discriminating against people because of their choice of whom to love. We all have a long way to go—but when you think about it, what possible justification does anyone have for damning people who love one another?

My theory is, we know more Spanish than we think we do. Don’t be afraid to try it!! I took an online course, “Speed Spanish” at www.ed2go.com for 3 modules and it has actually got me speaking. OK, I’m stuck in the present tense most of the time, but I’m working on it!! Another thing I did was connect with people at work who wanted to practice speaking Spanish. Some are new learners, some are quite fluent, and our weekly lunches “en Espanol” in the cafeteria have been wonderful. I got very brave, (tengo valor!) last week by striking up a conversation with a Peruvian woman on the subway. It was great!

I have started 2008 by writing 3 letters – a response to my 90-year-old great-aunt across the country to her lovely Christmas card and note; a thankyou letter to my inlaws in Florida for lots of holiday gifts; and a quick little postcard to a friend in the next town whom I haven’t seen in a few months.

My goal is to write someone different once a week, and to send handwritten thank you notes/cards when I get gifts or just for someone doing something nice for me. Twenty years ago I was an exchange student in England (way pre- e-mail) and I absolutely LIVED for the mailbox. I still get a thrill at a handwritten note but only a few friends (and my great-aunt) ever send them more than a few times a year.

I didn’t send any Christmas cards out this year, but I’m using the ones I got as my “list” to start my weekly habit. I like e-mail OK for quick updates to friends or making plans for get-togethers, but usually that’s happening at work and I’m not going to pour my heart into an email from my office.