Things I am thankful for...
I remember writing essays with this sort of topic in grade school.
A few days after the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, I was at Target and I saw a really cute latke tee shirt and so I bought it for M. We have decided to join a synagogue and I thought getting her pumped about their Hanukkah party would be good and she would have a festival shirt to wear to it.
I was at the check out and the woman at the register, a person of color, swiped the barcode of the shirt, looked me right in my eyes and asked, "Are you okay?" My eyes became moist and I replied that I was okay. She smiled and continued to scan my items.
I am thankful for her.
The #METOO movement has brought into the spotlight that mutual consent is crucial and there are nuances to how communication is transmitted that can be misconstrued and then you take in about 40 other variables and well, it can be complicated. I am a victim of sexual assault. Twice. It was by people that cared about me. There is the complicated part. I think that changing the narrative and bringing awareness to ask questions and make no assumptions is a step in the right direction. It is kind of amazing to me that I was in a band over 20 years ago that had songs about physical and sexual assault and women's prerogative to dress how she pleases and not be judged by it and after listening to them the other day- still relevant. My hope is that the rape culture will be watered down (I know it won't go completely away) and my kid and her friends will not be afraid to speak up, because you know, mutual consent.
I am thankful for the #METOO movement.
Last week I got to hang out with a friend who I hadn't seen in a couple of years. I had a great time. Good friends make hanging out so easy. On Thursday, a bunch of us are getting together for Thanksgiving. It will be the first one without my friend who passed away this summer. My crew of friends are complicated wonderful human beings.
I am thankful for my friends.
