Live and Let Live!
Before getting into my next column I would like to
send my apologies to every one of you that take the time to read my work. My
last column sent out to you was cut very short. Therefore there wasn’t a whole
lot of advice in it to be had.
As I have mentioned, a while back, my whole house
had the flu, and I was working on fine-tuning my pneumonia. I finally let the
bug win and crawled out long enough to try to send some legible info your way.
I failed miserably, and feel I should apologize for
the substandard work on my behalf. I finally ended up flat on my back for a few
days and have since recovered nicely. In time for Christmas and New Years too,
so things worked out okay. I do wish to apologize and I sincerely hope everyone
had a Merry Christmas. May you continue on to a safe New Years,
The following are two e-mails I received last week.
I was a little puzzled as to why two e-mails from two different sources would
have such a common theme. I discovered Canada has just had their first same sex marriage. Thus explaining the
following two e-mails being so similar.
Dear Aunt Cynthia,
Why does it bother people when I show my boyfriend
affection? He loves me and I love him (we’re both men) so why shouldn't the
world know we are in love. My straight friends have no problem showing their
affections in public. Yet when my partner and I do the same they all shy away
from us. I think this is pretty hypocritical on their behalf. What can I say to
these people that could make them see how wrong and unfair this is to us?
Thanks Aunt Cynthia,
James in Vancouver
Dear James,
Hello to a fellow canuck! The first question I would
have for you is why are you so concerned? Being gay you obviously have
experienced some of the prejudices that comes with the territory. We all know
the truth when it comes to being gay. We all know that the world has a long way
to come when it comes to understanding people who are a little different than
ourselves. I’m sure this is no surprise to you. And I’m sure your partner is
as aware of these facts as you are.
My advice to you is something you probably already
know. Ignore the stares and comments. Don’t go out of your way to flaunt your
affections in public. Don’t give anyone a reason to stare. Be proud of your
love, but be decent in your displays of affection. In my opinion I find it offensive when I see ‘anyone’
making out in public. Holding hands or a light kiss is acceptable and only
compliments your romance. Simple decency dictates that there are some things
that should be kept behind closed doors. It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or
straight: these rules apply to all.
I know this is probably not what you wanted to hear,
James. But I hope it helps. Good luck to you.
Aunt Cynthia.
Dear Aunt Cynthia,
Hi Merry Xmas! I have an odd question for you, and
I'll bet you won't give me an answer. Do you believe in same sex marriages? My
wife and I are having a big to do about this subject. She says I should mind my
own business, and I told her if we were meant to marry the same sex we wouldn't
need to reproduce.
She says I'm a bigot, and I say she's too liberal. So
which side of the fence are you on Aunt Cynthia? I was just wondering.
Barry in Ontario
Dear Barry and wife.
Hello and happy holidays to both of you.
As for my opinion on this subject I have to say, I
don’t have an opinion one way or the other. I really don’t, sorry to
disappoint you. I’ll explain why.
I live in a place where being different is simply a
way of life. I know the street people, the hookers and the drug dealers
personally. I know the gay people as well as those who are straight. When I go
for a walk in my neighborhood and someone greets me, as they always do, my first
concern isn’t if they are gay or not. My first concern is how they’re doing
in life. I wonder if they have food and a warm place to stay. I wonder if the
young hookers (some of them are so young) are practicing safe sex. I wonder if
the street kids are being molested. These are my first concerns when it comes to
the people in my life.
When it comes to being gay, I think if the parties
concerned are good neighbors and care about what goes on around them, it
doesn’t matter what they are. I don’t think your wife is too liberal.
Perhaps she just realizes that in order to be a good citizen you have to be
tolerant of your fellow man.
So there you have my opinion. It sounds like your wife
will understand this a bit better than you do. You know, Barry, it’s never too
late to change. The fact you wrote to me tells me you’re not necessarily sure
of your ground. Perhaps your wife can give you a few pointers on the subject.
Have a great New Years.
Aunt Cynthia.
I would like to take privilege and pass on a New
Years message to all of you!
Every year I draw up a chart. On this chart I list,
in order of importance to me, the things I would like to accomplish in the
coming year. I don’t believe in diets; I’m a slim woman anyway. I don’t drink, so I don’t have those things to deal with. I do have a
tendency to become too involved with things, and I am always crying over how sad
the world can be. These are things I need to change for myself. So they top my
list of things to change this year. I usually have ten on the list. I then take
my list and put it somewhere where no one can see it. As I manage to accomplish
a thing or two I cross them out.
Now pay attention to this next piece of advice! At
the end of the year if you have accomplished even three of the things on the
list you’re doing great! If you
haven’t accomplished one of the things you’re doing not too bad, either. The
point is that you have consciously placed these things down on paper and now
that you’ve acknowledged them you can’t pretend they don’t exist. You have
given life to an idea that won’t be ignored any more.
Just something to think about in the New
Year.
Well ladies and gentlemen, I think that’s about it for this week. I hope this has been of some help. Keep those e-mails coming! I’ll do what I can to help. Remember you can reach me at
askauntcynthia@storiesbyemail.com.
Until then I remain as always your Aunt Cynthia!
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