You can send it to jojojaffe@gmail.com

I look forward to reading it, but probably won't get to it until tomorrow (swamped with deadlines....)

Thanks,

Meryl

Hi Holly. I hope you're feeling better.  Just to let you know, I posted my next blog mentioning your work:  http://departingthetext.blogspot.com

 I am very interested in your anti-bullying program that can be printed from the internet. I've written a children's book with a social theme of diversity and the danger of judging others by appearance or language. I also blog on my website about building a compassionate society and the importance of role modeling tolerance, love, kindness, respect, etc.  I'm interested in your fiction as well as anything you might have written on the subject.  I'd love to reference your work and website in my blog.  Jan DiRuzzo, www.lilythelostmermaid.com.

Hi Holly,

Okay, so as part of my think-out-loud processing of the cultural definition of marriage, I have chosen your wall post for an initial response.  At some point I think a full-blown blog post will evolve, but I am still in the ingesting and processing stage.

You make some good points about the importance of a clearly-worded and societally-accepted definition of marriage.  People need that.  What is hard about a sacramental definition of marriage (the one to which I wholeheartedly subscribe) is that it muddies the definition blurring the line between church and state. 

The reason people are so incredibly passionate about defining marriage (heterosexual or not) is that the definition is ALWAYS going to exclude someone.  Second marriages, after divorce, are outside the bounds of sacrament, adultery is outside the realm of sacrament, abuse is outside the realm of sacrament, yet people who have engaged in those things can still be called married, and are recognized under the law.

Personally, I think that is truly where the sticking point is.  Marriage, according to the law of the land, affords rights and tax breaks, and a sacramental marriage offers blessings beyond your wildest dreams, but part of the beauty of this country is that we have always tried to keep separate law and God. (that could be an entirely separate discussion)

I did write a little about the difference between a sacramental marriage and a secular one.  I don't know if you saw that post: Marriage: Sacred or Secular

Thanks for making me think...and thanks too for reading my rants.  My marriage is THE most important thing in my life, and what I ultimately believe about it matters.

Have a great Sunday!

MMF 

Hi Holly.  There is absolutely no rush.  As I note in my blog, I am in graphic novel mode as I am presenting at the Chicago C2E2 ComicCon.  My next blog (I hope) which will have your link integrates Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, comics, violence and  Roger's push toward "expressions of care" and learning how to manage anger.

I think the best thing to do is read through a few of my blogs.  See what I talk about and how best to 'fit'.  Your ideas sound good, though. 

Still, there is time.  The important thing is for you to feel better.  I will give you a heads'up when I post my blog with your link (some time early next week I hope.)

Have a great weekend,

Meryl