In The Silent Majority Too Long 

While listening on the radio to a Kiwi zealot barking about the dangers of legalizing consexual sex between adults of the same sex -- I paraphrase: "mark my words, the next thing we'll see is the gay bars opening up, and gay neighborhoods, and then the spread of homosexuality throughout New Zealand!" -- I felt the ire building, again, as it always does when confronted by idiotic, misguided bigotry and ignorance; by hatred and ostracism in all its forms; by the many (most?) humans' inability to accept those who are different from ourselves. 

Somehow, gratefully, my upbringing instilled in me a strong desire to accept others and be accepted by them, regardless of size (I was fat), race (a close companion for my first seven years was a black, Panamanian nanny), religious beliefs (or lack thereof), or any other characteristics. The struggle for Gay rights and recognition is nothing but a struggle for Human Rights. Not to be treated specially, but exactly the opposite: to NOT be treated specially. To be ignored and not demonized, as any community should rightfully want. 

It amazes me how fervent and fearful anti-Gay activists are, mainly, I think, fueled by belief that a certain Book lays out the rules of life, of how everyone is supposed to be. To them, this Book wasn't just compiled and edited by people, it is the Word of a Supreme Being which leaves no room for debate. And given that belief, there is no logical argument that can be made, no way to open the door for an opposing view, or to let people be different from themselves. All because some ancient shmuck pranksters created some cool looking scrolls and said, "Hey, look what God wrote! Follow us and we'll rule the world!" 

Me, I've joined a different church, The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the one true Creator. https://www.spaghettimonster.org  Join us and we'll rule the world!

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

A proverb I've held to be true -- a recognition that we often want or miss those things we cannot have, especially a person whom we hold dear.

But in our technology-enhanced, hyper-connected world, that proverb's days are numbered.

Anyone living absent from your life right now who you really really miss? Who you have no easy access to if you want to drop a line, a photo, or have a live video chat with? Doubtful.

Ironically, the proverb is its own eulogy, for it is what I will miss.