Church and State...

I am an American. I understand the Constitution. I understand the basics of our laws. I long for the day when we can fully realize that separation of church and state. I long for the days when I won't hear God Bless you and God Bless America at the end of a presidential address. In my eyes, that will be the true end and separation.

I'm not saying that I don't believe in a higher power, but not everyone believes in the same higher power. We are all Americans, that doesn't mean that we all believe in the same God, and our founding fathers understood and knew that well. That is why they were believers in that separation.

I fear that all members of society will not see full equality until that happens. I recently stood up for my sister, as her Maid/Man of Honour and I signed two documents as a witness to her marriage. One for the Church and one for the State. Complete separation, as she did not need the church for the license to be official, she would be married if all I signed was the state certificate. Why can't we separate other things that way?

I am not asking to be married in a church or by any religious entity, my brother and sister in law weren't, and their marriage is treated in the same manner by the country as that of my parents and now my sister and brother in law who were married in church. I am asking for nothing less. Why does it have to be any other way?

Why do we always look to religion to define who we are and where we need to go as a people? Why can't we look to the values our country was founded upon - the equal treatment of all it's citizenry.

I guess I'm just a little fired up after watching the abysmal state of our union. We will not advance as a nation until we start to go back to our founding principals and start believing in that document we talk about all the time.

Speeches...

I was the Maid of Honour (okay...Man of Honour) at my sister's over the weekend and I had to give the toast. The Best Man was a little shy and didn't like speaking in public, so instead of the usual order of the speeches (MOH and then the Best Man) it was reversed, and I wrapped it all up after the Best Man spoke. I tried to start with a little humour and then get a little serious. I had written it all up but didn't really use or need my cue cards. Since there were compliments, and I just gush about how much my sister has influenced me, I thought I would share.

When Mike asked for my blessing so he could propose to my sister I was thrilled. Then I learned that I was the intimidating brother. Me? Really? Not Jonathan? Seriously, Me? Ok. Then I realized that it was really a compliment. (Turning to look at Mike) It WAS a compliment, wasn't it Mike? Cuz if not, I GOT people. (The other brother and three gay boys in all black suits with dark sunglasses on surround the groom).

I'm going to give Mike the benefit of the doubt and go with compliment, because it means I have done my job as big brother correctly. As a big brother, you are supposed to help your younger siblings learn and grow, and I hope that I have done that.

I don't think that a big brother gets to stand up and talk about how much his younger sister has taught him that often. Whether she realizes it or not, Sabrina has taught me so much about having the strength and courage to be myself. We both grew up a little different from the world around us and watching my little sister develop her inner strength and self confidence as she grew into the beautiful young woman she is today was an amazing example when I was on my own journey of self discovery. Without her example, I don't know if I would be as strong as I am. She has given me so much, I am forever grateful and she will be with me always, like a handprint on my heart.

I love you kiddo, and I can't imagine anyone else I would want to see you take the next part of life's journey with.

Congratulations!