Nobody, but nobody can make it out here alone.
—Maya Angelou, Alone
On this last day of Pride, I’ve been thinking about gratitude.
Looking back at this photograph from San Francisco in 1976, it’s pretty obvious I wasn’t trying to blend in.
Over the years, so many people looked beyond appearances and gave me the chance to learn, to serve, to teach, to create, and simply to become myself.
I’m grateful to my parents, my sister, and especially the Reid family, who became part of my chosen family. I’m grateful to my commanding officers in the Air Force, my professors, employers, colleagues, students, volunteers, and friends. I’m grateful to Minneapolis College, MCAD, Minneapolis Friends Meeting, and to Michael, who has walked beside me through it all.
None of us gets where we are alone. My life has been shaped by people who chose encouragement over fear, curiosity over judgment, and kindness over assumption.
As Pride Month comes to a close, thank you. You helped make my life possible.
Related post: This reflection continues many of the themes I explored in my recent post, Reflections on Collective Z.