Well it has been a week, friends. I am feeling like I'm saying that more and more these days... It's been interesting to get my head around the return to work, and prepare for a getaway, the first time I'm leaving my house for more than 24 hours (to go to my parents house) in a very long time. A bit anxious to say the least. Nick and I have our 5th wedding anniversary tomorrow, a funeral and a wedding in the 24 hours following, a concert and then some wine tours. Standard week, right? Remember when I said I was going to slow down when I started to feel better?
Tonight we are kicking it off with a concert at Molson Amp. Yes, I refuse to call it Budweiser Stage because I am nostalgic AF. I have to say the new renovations that we got to see even before the pandemic were so needed and it's amazing to see the investment being made at this epic venue. This is the first concert we will be going to since the pandemic hit, and it's to see Little Big Town and my girl, Miranda Lambert. I'm telling you that there is something about Lambert's music that makes me feel unstoppable, reminds me how gritty I am, and that I can take on the world - so exactly what SC needs right now. As corny as that sounds, it's true. Live music just fills my friggin' soul, man. I have never regretted spending money on a concert. The wine guitars, and associated hangover? Maybe.
As mentioned, tomorrow is our anniversary, and I can't believe that 5 years has flown by the way it has. We have so much to be grateful for, and this past year was really hard on us. Really, it was hard on Nick. He has cared for me in a way that, really words escape me for how amazing he has been. Bedside in hospital and at home, working full time while caring for me and keeping the house together. Between this and the pandemic I feel happier in my marriage than I ever have. Not many people can come out of the past two years saying the same, and I thank God every day.
Changing gears and weeks later, I am still shook by the Uvalde shooting. There have been numerous mass shootings since, 12 on the Memorial Day weekend alone. If I had children and was sending them to school every morning I would be terrified, and I live in Canada. It has been horrific as more details unfold from Uvalde, the timeline and failure by the police force to act. Again, as a parent, how do you sleep at night? Why is the focus on arming teachers, teaching kids how to protect themselves, instead of GUN CONTROL? Canada isn't without its issues. I heard on the news the other day that the vast majority of homicides have an illegal gun involved. It is just hard to get a gun here, legally. This brings me back to my frustrations about the Roe v. Wade case and abortion control. Why is there an obsession to control the female reproductive system? Imagine if guns were as regulated as our uteruses? Just saying.
I'm listening to Gabrielle Union's We're Going to Need More Wine. Ever since Bring It On, I have been obsessed with Union. On top of that, the fact that her and her husband Dwayne Wade have a daughter that has come out as transgender. This is a power couple for many reasons, including their activism for the LGBTQ+ community. Chapter 8 highlights colourism, something I needed to hear and try to understand. As a white woman, this is not something that is part of my daily reality that people of colour experience. Union points out this impacts dating, opportunities, economic status. She states, "having more black people around increases opportunities for people to learn and evolve, but that alone doesn't undo racist systems or thought processes. That is the real work we all have to do." I can't agree more. This is what inclusivity and diversity is all about, and we all need to do better. This has left me wanting to do better and be more aware in both my work and personal life. I also did not know about Union's sexual assault, and struggles with PTSD. She is a force, an inspiration, and I was so moved by her story. Especially hearing it on Audible, from her actual voice. Goosebumps, like what an incredible human showing such vulnerability.
I had a really bad cold last week, and as a result have been all about comfort TV. I started rewatching Golden Girls and Barack Obama's "Our Great National Parks" to go to sleep. I tell you, there is something very soothing about his voice as you slip off into dreamland... and in all seriousness, we did not deserve Betty White. The show, about four ladies living their best golden years in Miami, has so many episodes my mind is blown. I am trying to savour these episodes and not binge them like I typically would. The secret sauce is humour, humility, and of course, Betty White.
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