I am just returning from a vacation that took me away from my usual connections, so I am late to this story. Diana, for as much as I thought I knew about you, this was new to me. It was so powerful and painful to read. I imagine your dad, your mom, you and your siblings, having to live in some level of fear that the 'secret' would escape your control and your family life would implode. I hope that Gene Robinson is right and we will continue to move toward a more inclusive approach, but some days I admit I wonder. We are in such difficult times. Thank you for your words, for sharing this part of your life with this community.
Thank you for sharing this tender, deeply personal story. June 14 is my brother's birthday. Donnie died in 2002 at the age of 46 - having battled cancer since he was 19 y.o. Cancer complicated his life but he did not let it define his life. 'Don't worry, be happy" became his mantra. He was grateful for and enjoyed periods of remission, Initially it presented as testicular cancer. Years later, cancer advanced and spread to other parts of his body. It metastasized to his lungs. After treatment the cancer again went into remission. Years later, it reappeared as prostate cancer. Your parents faced life with love, grace, integrity, and fortitude - just like my brother. They are beacons of hope. and powerful examples. Again, thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you Diana. I appreciated the comments Gene Robinson made…you story will become increasingly rare, as so, even more important. Thank you for bearing witness
Thank you for sharing this. I watched my nieces go through the same situation. Your parents were amazing for they did love one another only in different ways.
Such a love song to your Father who lives in you and still surrounds you with love. I recall a favorite line of poetry from the British poet Philip Larkin: "What will survive of us is love."
I remember well your family story from June 2021. I am touched deeply by it even more this time around, and appreciate your open-hearted story that abounds with grace. Thank you. ...I think I would have enjoyed knowing your father, the coolest dad coveted by your friends.
"Complicated." I wonder about the bishop's remark that, "there will be fewer and fewer marriages like your parent's." I hope he meant fewer and fewer secretive marriages. I've known bi-sexuals. I've known gay men in "straight" marriages. The latter all failed as the wife realized the truth or the husband came clean. Of bi-sexual or lesbian women, the same history prevailed. Your Mom was remarkably special. It's her part in your story which especially moved me. This raises a perplexing issue, related, but not? Can marriages remain whole in which one or the other spouse or both actively love more than one person, LGBTQ or straight? Can society accept it? Can religious communities with a tradition of vows of total marriage fidelity accept it? I'd always felt sympathy for the unfairness toward the unknowing spouse betrayed by hiding the truth. That's not to say I don't underrstand and feel sympathy for the LGBTQ person who, feeling trapped, has tried to hide in a straight marriage. (Poor Rock Hudson . . . and his wife.) That's why I like to think what the bishop meant is that such secrets need no longer be kept, making marriages in order "to hide" unnecessary . . . and exceptional people like your Mom able to openly accept the other lover in the picture. But does the same ethic carry over to multiple straight lovers? How important is monogamy, anyway? Societally speaking, it's nobody's business. But what shall we do with - or ask religious communities to do with - marriage vows of fidelity? Just my tho'ts running amok. Forgive me if you deem it inappropriate, here. Bottom line, yours is a supremely moving story.
Thank you, Diana, for sharing this wonderful story again. We need these stories to keep us from returning to those days-something that I see more every day.
I am just returning from a vacation that took me away from my usual connections, so I am late to this story. Diana, for as much as I thought I knew about you, this was new to me. It was so powerful and painful to read. I imagine your dad, your mom, you and your siblings, having to live in some level of fear that the 'secret' would escape your control and your family life would implode. I hope that Gene Robinson is right and we will continue to move toward a more inclusive approach, but some days I admit I wonder. We are in such difficult times. Thank you for your words, for sharing this part of your life with this community.
Thank you for sharing this tender, deeply personal story. June 14 is my brother's birthday. Donnie died in 2002 at the age of 46 - having battled cancer since he was 19 y.o. Cancer complicated his life but he did not let it define his life. 'Don't worry, be happy" became his mantra. He was grateful for and enjoyed periods of remission, Initially it presented as testicular cancer. Years later, cancer advanced and spread to other parts of his body. It metastasized to his lungs. After treatment the cancer again went into remission. Years later, it reappeared as prostate cancer. Your parents faced life with love, grace, integrity, and fortitude - just like my brother. They are beacons of hope. and powerful examples. Again, thank you for sharing your story.
This is a moving and deeply honest post. It was among the first things I read from you, and I enjoyed reading it agan.
Thank you Diana. I appreciated the comments Gene Robinson made…you story will become increasingly rare, as so, even more important. Thank you for bearing witness
Thank you for sharing this. I watched my nieces go through the same situation. Your parents were amazing for they did love one another only in different ways.
Blessings and thank you ... for sharing .. , and for loving .. in the very best ways.
Just got around to reading the story about your Dad - and Mother.
It's beautirul!
Thanks for sharing it again!
Inspirational and powerful. Thank you for sharing.
Such a love song to your Father who lives in you and still surrounds you with love. I recall a favorite line of poetry from the British poet Philip Larkin: "What will survive of us is love."
I remember well your family story from June 2021. I am touched deeply by it even more this time around, and appreciate your open-hearted story that abounds with grace. Thank you. ...I think I would have enjoyed knowing your father, the coolest dad coveted by your friends.
"Complicated." I wonder about the bishop's remark that, "there will be fewer and fewer marriages like your parent's." I hope he meant fewer and fewer secretive marriages. I've known bi-sexuals. I've known gay men in "straight" marriages. The latter all failed as the wife realized the truth or the husband came clean. Of bi-sexual or lesbian women, the same history prevailed. Your Mom was remarkably special. It's her part in your story which especially moved me. This raises a perplexing issue, related, but not? Can marriages remain whole in which one or the other spouse or both actively love more than one person, LGBTQ or straight? Can society accept it? Can religious communities with a tradition of vows of total marriage fidelity accept it? I'd always felt sympathy for the unfairness toward the unknowing spouse betrayed by hiding the truth. That's not to say I don't underrstand and feel sympathy for the LGBTQ person who, feeling trapped, has tried to hide in a straight marriage. (Poor Rock Hudson . . . and his wife.) That's why I like to think what the bishop meant is that such secrets need no longer be kept, making marriages in order "to hide" unnecessary . . . and exceptional people like your Mom able to openly accept the other lover in the picture. But does the same ethic carry over to multiple straight lovers? How important is monogamy, anyway? Societally speaking, it's nobody's business. But what shall we do with - or ask religious communities to do with - marriage vows of fidelity? Just my tho'ts running amok. Forgive me if you deem it inappropriate, here. Bottom line, yours is a supremely moving story.
Thank you, Diana, for sharing this wonderful story again. We need these stories to keep us from returning to those days-something that I see more every day.
So very beautiful! What a beautiful life, a complicated relationship filled with LOVE. Thank you so much. I wept for joy as I read. Namaste
Thank you for this Pride story so full of love and grace.
So grateful for you, your family, and the love and faith that shines through all❤️🌈
Thank you for sharing your tender and precious story with us.