Showing up

Judging from my recent Facebook activity one might assume that I have turned into a crazy activist woman – a raging Granny – but this assumption would not be altogether accurate. I’ve always been a little left of centre – a little crazy, but not certifiably so. And I’ve always been sort of an activist, just not a vocal one.

Something has happened to me in this third act of my life – I have become less afraid of being judged (and because of that I have found I am less judgmental) – I’ve become more inclined to voice an opinion (and because of that I have become more open to ideas). It has become more important to me to stand up for things I believe in and to speak up for causes I find worthy than it is for me to be considered polite or politically correct.

I think it has something to do with being a grandmother. I want to leave this world a better place for my grandchildren – for all children – and to do that I feel I have to step out of my comfort zone and show up. I don’t see myself riding quietly into the sunset

In the last few months my cause de jour has been the plight of the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre and the Vancouver Aquarium. There is a time limit for speaking up for this, hence the rash of ‘shares’ on my Facebook page. Once the Vancouver Parks Board votes on the proposed bylaw the fury will be over. Win or lose I will know I have spoken up for what I believe in – I will rest easier because of this.

These days there are more causes than I can cope with – I can’t carry a sign for them all, I can’t donate to them all, so I choose. Causes are personal and there are plenty to go around – I have a customized list of ones which speak to me.

Thank you to everyone who has put up with my ‘likes’, ‘shares’ and posts — I promise after the Parks Board vote tomorrow I will stop hounding you all (maybe 😉 ).