no matter who you are

We didn't attend the Dallas Pride Parade this year. The parade had more cons than pros. If you are getting older, like me, I think you'd understand. We almost didn't make it to the Tarrant Pride Parade. The parade took place in down town Ft. Worth. Woke up late from watching scary movies so we were on our way to eat brunch.

I mentioned that it was late to go to the festivities but we looked at out car clock and said well it starts in 30 minutes, if we make it then it was meant to be. We live by these words. if it's meant to happen it will. We arrived and searched for parking which happened to be easier than Dallas. We did pay but quickly arrived two minutes before it started. We waited when a group of supporters approached the parade at the same time as we did but across the way they stood. When they started preaching their hate we quickly moved. Didn't want to hear hate while enjoying a pride parade for being who we are. Just to think that preaching can also be used towards hate reminded me of people in my life that are okay with having their lives preached hate and being okay with it just worries me.  At the same time what are these people taught to tell me that I'm going to hell. To tell me to repent and convert over because if not God doesn't love me. I feel sorrow for them for judging me.

Everyone was so friendly. the kind of friendly were it is more family oriented with an older more respectful crowd. People in regular attire without being naked. At least that is what was around us. I kept thinking to myself, these are the people I want to be associated with. The parade didn't last two hours like the one in Dallas does, but it was still meaningful. I forgot to time it but I believe it was close to an hour. You probably wouldn't believe me if you didn't see it but there were no beer can crushed or bo0ttles broken on the ground, There was no litter. A well kept clean parade. The parade had so many church floats just wanting to marry you. I didn't think I'd see so many preachers want to marry a person of LGBT before, felt touched. After the parade we decided to visit their festivities down Main St. There was an AARP booth and I sure did visit it. I love Dallas, but just don't tell him that Ft worth was way better.

Didn't even have to wait another hour just to leave our parking spot. What a great experience. Did I mention that with the buildings down main there was shade on both sides of the parade.

The question is did we ever eat? Yes. We did.

el dia del amor y la amistad

Did you survived another Valentines day? If so good for you. If you are like me you will get that question asked. What did you get for Valentines? Somehow it's important that another individual that is not in your relationship to know. Why ask? It's because it's more like a competition. Who got what? How did it out do their gift?

People that are secure won't brag about how the day was rewarded with a gift. When you have been in a relationship as long as I have gifts don't matter. It's what you do for your love that out shines the money spent. I don't like gift getting from my partner, she does try, but I rather get something more personal. Spending the day doing things we love and making memories is more valuable than seeing how long my flowers will last alive. Some people love getting flowers.

I have single friends and I know that they lie to themselves and say that they are better off alone when deep down it isn't. You want love. You want someone to know you exist. I want my friends to have that feeling. I know from experience. I remember going through school and not getting a Valentine while some of the popular girls got not one but sometimes up to three admiring Valentines. I would get upset and wonder why couldn't just one of them give me a share. I did get lucky my senior year and a dear friend had a rose delivered to my classroom. He gave five of his friends a rose. Our school had that program on Valentines day. I'll never forget that. 

a photo taken from the book of Hearts 

Valentines is what we call in Spanish El Dia del Amor y la Amistad. The day of love and friendship. I end up mailing my friends Valentine cards. Everyone loves getting a card in the mail. Don't think it's just for the lovers but think about that special bond you have with your friends. I don't mean the friends that only get together to drink I mean the friends that share more than an evening.

For Valentines they had people go to a museum and place a heart on their favorite art piece #heartsforart. Being art lovers we went to the Amon Carter Museum and did just that. We went through the museum and placed our hearts under neath the art piece we loved. We also visited the book store our favorite one in Dallas. We assume we will only buy one book but end up leaving with a box. While going through the books to narrow my list down I came upon a book of hearts. Ironic to find it on Valentines day. Flipped through it and saw this picture of a woman visiting her love that had passed away. Thought to myself how lucky I was to still have my partner here with me. Some of us probably cried because we didn't have someone to give us a gift on this day but what about the ones who cried about having someone in their lives that couldn't share Valentines because they were no longer living.

Amon Carter Museum

Be thankful for the loves in your life, be it your children, your friends, or your significant other.

Have you ever seen a guy buy a basket full of bears and candy at a Wal-Mart. Not only did he get a deal but her gave all his girlfriends an even gift. If you are his girlfriend be thankful he didn't exclude you from all the rest.

Happy Valentines Day Friends