I watch the world around me and love the people in it.

My family, friends, entertainers, complete strangers.

I watch Ellen and laugh hysterically thinking - I totally want to hang out with her.

I'm addicted to the reality show The Voice and love listening to Kristen Merlin's God given instrument. Such a beautiful voice.

One of my best friend's from high school who is so kind, talented and wonderful has something in common with the women mentioned above -

she feels she is gay.

She is getting married soon and requested my address so she could send me an invitation.

I told her I was happy she was happy.

When she first "came out" we discussed how I disagreed with her decision but that I would always be her friend.

I wonder, if I ever had the opportunity to meet Ellen or Kristen if they would have a hard time being my friend because of my firm belief in God's declaration of marriage only being between a man and a woman. 

Maybe, maybe not? 

When I hear disturbing accusations like these in Macklemore's song - it makes me sad. He doesn't understand why I believe what I believe.

The right wing conservatives think it's a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made rewiring of a predisposition
Playing God, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don't know
And "God loves all his children" is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago
I don't know

That's not me.  

I love people - 

maybe we don't share the same beliefs but who said we have to?

I haven't told my friend yet that I can't attend her wedding but I will.

Because I love her enough and think she deserves an explanation.

My ponderings led me to writing this little poem 

(Who says that? You definitely have my permission to throw up in your mouth a bit) :)

To My Pal -

When I say - I'm happy you're happy

I really, truly mean it

But being happy you're happy

doesn't mean that I'm not sad

When I say - you're a great friend

and I love you dearly

I really, truly mean it

But it doesn't make your belief my belief

and I worry that's not okay with you

When I say - I love my God

I really, truly mean it.

But that doesn't mean I'd ever doubt

the love He feels for you

When I say I can't support you

on this very big life decision

I really, heart breakingly mean it

But that doesn't mean I would ever consider

not being your life long friend

When I say - Will you stop being mine?

I really, truly wonder....

But please know-

I still love you friend-

I really, truly mean it.