Chicken, Yoga, Fear, And Love (Page 2)

When we first arrived, I could see the top couple of feet of those rocks. The waves would come from behind and split to go around them. Occasionally, one would come that was hearty enough to smash against the rocks producing a fine, white spray that I imagined as quite refreshing, given that the sun never seems to take a break out there.

In the time it took for my wife to bury my left foot in sand, receive a birthday call from home, and for us to agree that we had no idea what to do with the epic decision that had to be made the next day, the waves had closed half of the gap between us. And when I looked back out at those rocks, they were almost overcome by the shift in tide. I could just barely see the tops of the tallest rocks, and the largest waves covered them with ease.

Beneath the chaos, of course, those rocks were standing as strong and solid as ever, even as the earth rocked and rolled around them. But I couldn’t see that. To me, it looked like they were drowning in the storm. To me, it looked like they would run to higher ground, if they could, to avoid being overcome by the waves. To me, it looked like a battle for survival, and it happens every single day.

I’m in the middle of a high tide in my life, and I haven’t written because writing makes me a rock. It makes me feel anchored in place as the earth rocks and rolls around me. It makes me just sit here and feel whatever comes up, wave after wave after wave… and what I’d really rather do is scramble to higher ground until all of this passes.

But it won’t pass. It may recede if I can distract myself with whatever dysfunction I choose (probably cake), but it always comes back, usually with a vengeance.

So here I am, writing about it.

America is embroiled in a chicken scandal. No, it’s not about disease or animal cruelty or even calories. The chicken scandal is about gay marriage. The finer details have been reported far and wide, but to recap, Chick-fil-A recently reaffirmed that it is still against gay marriage. Marriage equality advocates reacted strongly to this not-remotely-new news, and people on the other side of the issue reacted strongly to the reaction. It got ugly, fast, all across the land of the free and the home of the brave. On August 1st, those who wished to support the chicken people’s right to free speech were to go there to eat, and a great many showed up. Also, a great many showed up to show their opposition to this celebration.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Tammie C.

12:34PM PST on Mar 7, 2013

beautiful touching story, thank you for your time. and tears.

March 7
send a green star

Leslie w.

5:09PM PST on Feb 16, 2013

I'm not sure why I didn't see this until today but thank you for writing it. I think many people just might be jealous of the love you share with your wife and the life the two of you have built. I wish you much peace and happiness...and I promise to work hard to help achieve marriage equality in all states. I think this country needs all the love we can generate.

February 16
send a green star

natalie n.

10:59AM PDT on Oct 22, 2012

its nice to read a different perspective of things. i daresay in america you still have more freedom of speech and liberated societies than many other parts of the world. appreciate what you have and i believe that things will work out to a more equal society where people are not judged based on gender/sexual orientation etc but as humans.

October 22
send a green star

Elsie H.

10:49AM PDT on Oct 22, 2012

What a beautifully written and moving article. I so wish you well and hope that you will be happy and strong enough to face the "opposition". I feel the love in your writing and am sure that this will see you through any storm.

Celina B.

10:27AM PDT on Oct 22, 2012

This is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen/read. Thank you very much for sharing your feelings and your experiences. I don't understand the fear which makes people feel that they need to control others. I fully support you and your message of love, which should be the platform of all life.

Abbe A.

5:42AM PDT on Aug 27, 2012

thanks

August 27
send a green star

Christy F.

3:05PM PDT on Aug 12, 2012

@SueT. You asked, "I think to put it simply...why is it hurtful if I do not agree with you?"

It is not hurtful that you do not agree. It is hurtful when people "believe" that their disagreement is enough reason to deny me equal rights.

August 12
send a green star

Sue T.

1:09PM PDT on Aug 12, 2012

I think to put it simply...why is it hurtful if I do not agree with you?

1:07PM PDT on Aug 12, 2012

Christy, your writing is touching and I appreciate it.

I do disagree with you tho...not on your relationship, for that I wish you well.
I disagree because the people supporting Chik-fil-a were supporting freedom of speech and opinion...a basic idea in this country which allows all types of lifestyles. I am sure there were anti-gay marriage people there but there were also people who were not.
Where I get worried is when I HAVE to agree with you no matter what your choices or else I am being mean, insensitive, racist, bigoted .....
So what about MY thoughts, values and feelings? I am not oppressing anyone but I feel my views get trashed just like yours do.
So I think my message is Buck up buttercup, put your big girl panties on and deal with life because not everyone is going to love you, agree with you and embrace you...just like me that does not mean you are wrong or bad....it just is.
We are NOT all equal....we ARE NOT all the same and we will never always have the same opinions on things....I have seen no hatred around the Chik-fil-a day except for the liberal guy who berated the young girl for working there....so I wish you the best but WE ALL deserve freedom & respect. OK getting off my little soapbox :)