"The Truth Of Traditions..."

Holiday traditions are the stitching that bind family and friends together and no holiday features more traditions than Christmas...

Two of my three sons are married to women of Mexican heritage and so my three grandchildren (so far) get to know the joys of traditions shared from their diverse heritages. From my two daughter-in-laws Latinx heritage comes the Christmas celebration of "Nochebuena" which translates to "The Good Night" referring to Christmas Eve.  USA Today featured a very good brief explanation of Nochebuena this morning:

Many Hispanic, Latinx and Filipino families will celebrate Nochebuena

For many in the Latinx, Hispanic and Filipino community, Christmas celebrations take place on Dec. 24 in the form of Nochebuena. It is an annual holiday in which certain communities celebrate the holiday on the night of Dec. 24 rather than Dec. 25. While the traditions of the night can vary based on culture and region, a common theme persists: it's about being together.  "There's only two or three times a year where you'll get the entire extended family together," said Alexandro Gradilla, associate professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies at California State University. "It really is not only a holiday of love, but it's also truly a holiday of peace." 

"Remembering A Victory Won..."

Today marks five years since the Supreme Court's landmark decision extending marriage rights to the LGBTQ community. More than 500,000 same-sex couples in the United States are married, including some 300,000 who have wed since the June 26, 2015, ruling. 

In other victories most recently, the Supreme Court extended workplace protections nationwide last week for the LGBTQ community, ruling 6-3 that a landmark civil rights law barring sex discrimination in the workplace applies to gay, lesbian and transgender workers. 

But despite these gains, the community faces challenges from the Trump administration and religious groups in areas ranging from adoption and foster care to the rights of transgender people to join the military or use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

• 'No final victory': Five years after same-sex marriage ruling, inroads have been made. But uncertainty looms
• Gay marriage ruling a giant leap for couples, court
• Supreme Court grants federal job protections to gay, lesbian, transgender workers

Above from USA TODAY ******** My husband and I have been married for 9 years now, having married in Canada in 2011.  Yet, this is a joyous remembrance for us too as it meant that we could jointly adopt our children* which we did just a few weeks later. *Michigan law still only permits joint adoptions by legally married couples, and with the marriage ruling, our Canadian marriage was finally recognized.

"The Views To Love..."

Proud Dads - Happy Son!

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 3755"

"Life And Love Go On..."

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 3715"

"Love Is Life's Only Reason..."

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"Reflections On Married Life..."

Our Home - Christmas 2019

With the "Festive Season" rapidly coming to a close tomorrow along with the arrival of a new decade, I thought I'd give a little update on my life now.

The Christmas holiday has been a lovely time for my family and I. My husband Edward decorates the house inside and out and as usual, we've been the envy of our neighborhood.

One of two trees this year... This one is in the Florida room

The Formal Tree in the living room

This year's theme was reds, greens and gold

Some of the outdoors decor 

Our children have grown up so quickly, Dustin is now 14 years old and will start high school in the fall. D'Mitris turned 18 in July and is a high school senior this year and hoping to attend Wayne State University in the fall.

Here I am with Dustin (in the background) baking Christmas cookies on 12/23/2019

Dustin has an interest in cooking and baking just like Dad...

These became Christmas gifts for family, friends and neighbors... 

Below, our table is set for Christmas dinner...

We were joined by my brother William and D'Mitris' girlfriend (and I suspect soon, fiancee), Itzel

In October and November our home was decorated for Autumn, Halloween and Thanksgiving

My husband Ed likes "ugly pumpkins" and these are some of this years collection

For Halloween, things took a spooky turn...

D'Mitris (above) and Dustin (below) carving the Halloween pumpkins

Our home on Halloween evening

In the early summer, our old house got a new roof... The boys were amazed by the process and the price, but it was a good investment to ensure our home is in good shape as Ed and I prepare to age-in-place.  This roof should last about 50 years, so I told my "Little One" (Dustin) that the next roof would likely be his job.

My interior restorations of the basement are still on going, I'm currently working on the old laundry room, converting it into a home gym... We've all been enjoying last year's completion of the rumpus room with it's big screen television, fireplace and well stocked bar/kitchenette.

So now, as I look back over the year and the decade which is coming to a close this evening, I have much to be thankful for... My eldest son is settled in his career and he and his wife and children have moved into a new home. My two sons still at home are happy and healthy. My husband says he's happy with me and he's enjoying his retirement.  I am still going strong, working every day at a job I enjoy and still finding time to make our old house a beautiful home for my family.  I can't say that all of my dreams came true, but most of the important ones have...  Though my heart remains forever wounded and longing for another, the love of my husband and children sustains me and that is enough.

It got better...

"The Views To Love..."

Family Love At Christmastime

"The Imitation Of Life..."

A Swedish gay couple adopt what they think is an 18-month-old orphan, only to meet their new son, a 15-year-old homophobic delinquent.

Part One

Part Two