General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI just got a letter today from my Aunts
It was just the usual chatty letter, with pictures of their cats and dog they took and printed with the camera and printer we sent them - nothing political, except my Aunts are a couple in their 80s who have been together longer than I've been alive.
When I hear homophobes gasp about "the gay lifestyle!!11," I think of this couple; one an engineer and the other, a telecom worker (both retired now); their modest yet pretty little house; how much they love animals; how one loves loves loves gadgets as I do, and the other who loves the kind of work I'm doing on our house - but mostly how incredibly, quietly and stubbornly brave these two women are and how nothing has diminished their devotion to each other. They are no 'threat' to my (or anyone's) marriage; they are role models, and not just for a long, strong marriage, but for being courageous, kind, smart, funny and all-around great.
I really admire courage - the hard kind, of going on even through the most difficult circumstances. I think that all GLBT people show this type of courage - quietly, with dignity, and every day - which makes them some of the bravest people on earth.
Just like my 80+ year old aunts.
And I hope that very soon, just living life won't require that kind of strength every day.
Control-Z
(15,681 posts)your aunts' life and love with DU.
REP
(21,691 posts)My maternal Aunt was an amazing woman in her own right; she had other things to overcome (a northern Catholic convert married into a very old Southern Jewish family in the 50s). She was first chair viola with the Charleston Philharmonic and had wonderful stories (including the time they managed to set the symphony hall on fire during a performance of the 1812 Overture). Like they do to me, inanimate objects often attacked her for no good reason. We both loved old first editions, even - or especially - not particularly rare or valuable ones. She died 12 years ago, and I still find myself thinking, "I should send this to H! She'd love it! Oh." I miss her.
These two Aunts are my husband's, but I have their permission to claim them as mine as well One thing cramping an Aunt's "gay lifestyle" - she has to give up knitting for a bit due to bursitis, but on the other hand, it'll give her more time to read. Pretty decadent stuff!
PDJane
(10,103 posts)REP
(21,691 posts)Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)for the 'oldsters'. They deserve to be treated with dignity, and spend their remaining years in whatever union (if that includes marriage) they want.
REP
(21,691 posts)Life can be hard enough without being made to live in a way that makes who you are a burden to you. And yes, I'm pretty sure we agree on that!
NJCher
(35,423 posts)I have an 80+ aunt and I know how lovable they can be.
Cher
REP
(21,691 posts)... in many ways, they're just ordinary folks. Things like their love of animals makes them special and wonderful, and any couple having such a successful relationship is, well, hopeful to anyone in a relationship! But their day-to-day lives aren't that much different from their neighbors, yet for their entire lives, and lives together, they've had to steel themselves for the ugliness that gets thrown too often at nice, hardworking couples like them just because they're both women. It makes me in awe of their courage, and sad that they've had to be so brave every day just to be who they are: a nice quiet hardworking couple.
niyad
(112,432 posts)I love meeting and knowing.
REP
(21,691 posts)And their kitties and doggie are just adorable!
joesdaughter
(243 posts)idwiyo
(5,113 posts)Hekate
(90,189 posts)trocar
(243 posts)Heidi
(58,237 posts)had a hand in how cool you are, lil Miz SPLEEN!!!
OneGrassRoot
(22,917 posts)nolabear
(41,915 posts)Much lOve to yours.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Helen Reddy
(998 posts)my kinda gals!
William769
(55,124 posts)pauljulian
(45 posts)Get up, feed the dogs, have breakfast, go to work... how dare they! <grin>
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)auntsue
(277 posts)given away the secret gay agenda. Now everyone will know.........we just want to live our lives!!!!
REP
(21,691 posts)I was a really naïve kid, even by naïve kid standards. I thought the 'I Have A Dream' speech, especially judging people by the content of their character, was an agreed-upon goal that everyone was trying to achieve. I was so mad when reality dawned on me (I was a really, really naïve kid).
But I never really gave up on hoping that it was goal we can achieve.