Biktarvy & Other Positives

 08.06.2022

KEEP LOVING WHO YOU ARE is what the Biktarvy commercial says. Hope provided through modern medicine. Thank you, science.

I see the differences in people, from afar through media outlets, every day. Regular people, like so many in most communities...looking out for one another, caring for family, teaching, learning, contributing for a better tomorrow. They are from different origins. They are different colors. They speak different languages. They love. They care. They're from a wide political spectrum. So why is it so difficult to understand the differences? WHY?!?

Do you try to embrace our fellow humans despite their differences? Good for you.

But what about the con artists? The homophobes? The bullies?  The dual-faced people? The privileged? The ignorant? The liars? The gullible? The victims? The preyed upon? The lawless?

It's difficult to counsel many of the people that don't want to be schooled. But not impossible.   I've never seen it happen quickly, but I have seen it happen. Reaching out to folks, no matter the differences, is an education. And the know-it-alls will always buck schooling, at least initially.

Exploit people's passions. That'll get your foot in the door. Then, like with an animal, speak and move slowly, be compassionate and attentive, and think about if this person was you. Or your kid. Everybody is someones kid. You see what you see as flaws, but are characteristics, no matter how they were arrived upon. People. I'm not like you in every way, but I have a desire to educate myself, and others as well. Please look beyond yourself to actually "see" others. A couple of examples where I challenged myself, and instantly grew...  

•      About 20 years ago, a coworker lost his son to drug related violence. Murdered. My friend's son. I went to the funeral. It was held in an African American church, and it was a packed, standing room only send-off. In the line formed to express condolences to the family, I said little. But was greeted with smiles and nods that said Thank You. When I got to my friend & his Bride, they were shocked. Already in disbelief that their son was gone, too. I knelt down, hugged him, shook his had, whispered encouragement for a new tomorrow, hugged his Bride, and moved back to my seat. At the closing of the service, I was invited to go downstairs for a meal and fellowship. I kindly declined, saying it was their family time. An elder grabbed my hands in hers, and said "Please. Your presence here today means so much." I agreed to stay and sought an empty seat in the fellowship hall. I was motioned over to the table where the elder was. She said to keep my seat, she'd bring me a plate. It was truly a moment for me. They didn't know me at all, but greeted & treated me like a human being. Just like we all do.
• A dear friend from my K-12 years crossed my path after we'd moved to Georgia. We we're back in Texas visiting friends and family. She and a former girlfriend of mine met for supper. I had recently received new that she was gay, something that made me no nevermind. She was still the awesome person as always. And after being in the closet for a while, it was good that she was now out. And happy. Obviously relieved. But the fact that so many in our LGBTQ community have to struggle for acceptance and equality eerked me. My friend! God damnit.

Can you see the moral to these brief stories? Sure you do. "Judge not, lest ye be judged". Live it. Pass it on. 

Thank y'all for stopping by.