Mary Caruso

I truly believe that certain people are sent into our life path for a reason. Now, you can poo poo that theory all you want but if you are the type of person to embrace life and live it with your eyes wide open you see things that most can not.   I joke and say that I am psychic but the truth of the matter is that one of the most valuable lessons I learned in art school was to really see things. Some consider that as being overly sensitive or “weak” but to me I wouldn’t live any other way.  To truly feel compassion and to be able to put yourself in others shoes is something I consider a blessing.

A few years back a friend of a friend of a friend had a friend who was looking for an apartment.  I just happened to have an apartment so I offered to show it to this friend once removed.  I showed it, he liked it, I rented it to him and the rest is history…….the journey begins with my celestial son!

I say celestial son because he has a wonderful family back home in California.  I am just borrowing him.  I have had the privilege of meeting Jacob’s mom, dad and brother.  All kind, considerate and very interesting…..JUST like Jacob.  I would never want to offend his real family so I use the term celestial son.  Celestial means from the heavens and I am sure that my dad sent Jacob to me that day knowing full well that we would be linked for life.

I have learned so much from Jacob……..the girls have had such fuller lives because of Jacob and this December won’t be any exception.

When Jacob came to me and said he wanted to do a fundraiser but wanted to do something different I was not at all surprised.  Very little of what Jacob does is typical, but that is what makes life interesting.  As he explained his idea I felt my stomach get a little queasy and by the time he finished I was about ready to vomit!  I admit I kind of begged him not to do it!

A men’s underwear contest?  A WET underwear contest?  At a very prominent gay bar? Oh my gosh!  I am certainly no prude but I just didn’t know……what would people think? he didn’t care!  how would this be accepted?  he didn’t care!  what would the comfort level be of most?  he didn’t care!!! then Jacob said to me.  I am naming it after your blog!  You are the one who is always pushing for acceptance and living your life with an open heart.  He also said that I am always advocating for treating all people with respect because so often the girls just don’t get that much respect.  I thought about it and really couldn’t discount anything he said…….BUT I was still a little queasy.

Then I took a trip to the York Street Cafe to meet the Joe the owner.  I was truly amazed that he really didn’t care to meet me or the girls.  He heard that Jacob wanted to do something to help the house project and that is all he needed to know.  He was the most humble and non judgemental man I have met in a long time.  He said it will be fun for everyone and he enjoys helping.  I asked what we could to to show gratitude and he really said he didn’t need any thank yous.  Completely unselfish and without needing recognition. A true human being in my book!

So the party takes shape and people start climbing on board and Jacob is really having fun with it.  I then start to notice that people from different backgrounds, different ages and beliefs are jumping in to help out and I am starting to see the diverse group that Jacob has attracted and I start to understand what he meant when he said it was right up my ally along side my blog. Now not everyone is that comfortable, but those who really care just don’t care about judging; they just wish it well and move on with it.

Before he left today he said to me…..”by the way, when WAS the last time you wrote in your blog?”  So here you go Jacob.  I am jumping in just like you did.  And I am acknowledging my appreciation to the wonderful person you are and facing my own idiosyncrasies with honesty. You embrace people and you accept people and you teach us that no matter what a person’s beliefs are or their sexual preferences are or whether or not they walk or roll or if they are black or white……we are all the same inside.  We all deserve to be treated with kindness, dignity and respect.  And it is a lot easier to  open our minds to something different than to spend negative energy  passing judgement!

Less judging and more acceptance. What a wonderful world this could be……………

In Peace and Love

Always

Mary