An Unexpected Response...

Dotti and I wrote that loving response to my uncle, (see below) really not expecting any further communication about it from him. In addition, I'm really not expecting any movement on his part to have a conversation about it at the family Christmas party. I, on the other hand, would like to have an authentic conversation with him and my aunt, and so what a perfect segue!

I'm really trying in life to be unattached to a specific outcome! So... when I didn't hear anything back from Uncle, I wasn't the least bit disappointed. I was, however, pleasantly surprised, and moved to tears at what I did get back... from my mom! (I sent her a copy of Uncle's email to me and our response.) Many of our readers know that both Dotti and I come from families who, for the most part, do not celebrate us, nor our marriage. This isn't because they don't love us. It's because of deeply held religious beliefs, misunderstanding and misinformation.

January 5, 2007 will mark the 5-year anniversary of my "coming out" to my parents. After five years, I so wish I could be writing about the affirmation, support and celebration we receive from my family. But I can't. What I can say, however, is that little gifts sometimes appear in the most unexpected places, and these gifts help me continue holding onto hope, when I get so discouraged.

Here's the gift from my mom:

Dear Robynne, I’m really proud of the way you responded to Uncle D's letter. And the fact that you will still participate in family get-to-gethers. That is so important to me. It’s obvious that not everyone thinks or believes the same way, but as long as we lovingly respect other’s opinions we should all be able to get along. It doesn’t mean we have to give up our hopes & dreams, but that we make getting along a priority without anyone having to be “right or wrong”. I LOVE YOU LOTS!!!! --Mom

So it's the Holidays! We have been enjoying the lighting of candles on our little Menorah in these days of Chanukah. We are not Jewish, but we love to celebrate and honor different traditions in our home. Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days. As for Christmas... there are only 5 days to go, and we are having a wonderfully relaxing, stress-free, simple week, enjoying our home, our Rylee Joy... and each other! The only shopping stress we experience is what we see on the morning news! We like it that way! Ahhhhhhhhhhh...

We hope you are having a wonderful week!

-Roby