Freedom of Voice

Sometimes you just need a perspective check. And, most of those times, you probably won’t even realize it.   Enter serendipity. Today, my partner and I got our much needed reality check. Right upside our heads. It was a particularly rough morning, and after feeling pretty defeated and beat up, we jumped in the car to head to Pathways to PACE to hear more about the center and the impact it has on girls’ lives.  Ten minutes into it, we knew in our hearts that we had to be a part of this program. Before the girls even came in to speak, we were circling supplies to donate from the Amazon wish list, taking notes on the impressive stats, and scratching ideas down. I got teary-eyed a few times. I figured Kathleen was doing the same  but couldn’t even look at her for fear of losing it. As the director announced the girls were ready, I grabbed a tissue from my bag in anticipation of the waterworks.  Thank God I didn’t bawl, but I did have to wipe away a...

When I was a kid, VD was the acronym for venereal disease. We've progressed since then to the more inclusive term, STD (sexually transmitted disease). Now VD refers to Valentine's Day, much better  than the alternative, V-Day. If my husband could wear this, he would. I was reading the comics as I do every morning, because, hey, I like to start my day with a chuckle. Pearls and Swine was a hilarious tribute to all those who hate the Hallmark holiday ( see it here ). In it, Rat is pressuring Stephan to use his strip to advocate for something, and he thought an anti-Valentine's Day campaign, complete with "No VD signs" was the way to go. After all, "It's a stupid holiday and nobody likes it." As I enjoyed my chuckle, reality hit: I live with Rat. Funny how art imitates life. I am not saying he can't be romantic or doesn't show his feelings, but he definitely gives two thumbs down to Valentine's Day. He hates it---going as far as sa...