Friday, October 31, 2008

Valuable lesson from my little sister...

I love my youngest sister Chelsea! She taught me a valuable lesson this week when I flew off the handle after an email from my Mom. The argument started several months ago involving AZ Proposition 102 (similar to the CA Prop 8). My family and the church is strongly for it and I am against it. I'm not going into every detail of why we disagree on this issue but suffice it to say that it's been a difficult thing for us.
So, several months ago I asked my Mom to stop sending me emails regarding Prop 102 and she stopped for a long time but then, out of nowhere, she sent me the following email on Wednesday:

Even with the opposition defacing & stealing our signs, yelling profanities, vandalizing front yards and broadcasting falsely on their commercials, we will stand true and strong on the side of righteousness! Thankfully there are many who stand with us!
I was more than a little upset that my Mom would send me an email like this so I hit "reply all" and this is what I had to say...

Wow! Thankfully the "Yes! on Prop 102" campaign has plenty of $$$ in its war-chest so I wouldn't worry too much about some defaced signs--just buy up a little more airtime or web banners or scare a few more people into donating by persuading them to think their marriage will be compromised by "the gays." Comparing yourselves to Samuel the Lamanite is such a twisted analogy when you have signs/billboards on every corner of this valley and the support of the majority of this state. Cry me a river! Don't try to play the victim here...I'm holding back the laughter!
-Allen

Anyway, you can probably tell that I was letting my sarcasm run wild without much regard for the consequences. Shortly after firing off my email, my sister Chelsea reminded me that the only thing this response accomplished was to damage relationships in my family. She is certainly right about that. As much as I may disagree with my Mom I can never deny that I love her and shouldn't let issues such as these divide us. It looks like I have some relationships to bandage up!

4 comments:

Crystal said...

I'm glad Chelsea could help you see that, Allen. I love you.

Cristi said...

Hi Allen! These are tough times for you and your mom it sounds. I hope you get things all patched up. I don't see why we can't all love and respect each other even when we believe differently. (I wish it were so easy- maybe it really is?!) Anyway, I can't say I support or oppose Prop 8 (or similar props) myself, but I am definitely not a fan of the false advertising, and "scare tactics." I am especially offended by the "Samuel the Lamanite" and other (borderline sacrilegious) implications of LDS opposition to gay marriage. Our church may be against gay marriage, but I think it is also against lies, scare tactics and misleading propaganda.

Kelly said...

aren't there a few things that we should never let divide us as families and friends - such as politics and religion? at least that's what i've always heard and thought. ... gosh, if i let politics or religion be an issue for me and my family, i don't know just where i'd be or who i'd be talking with! it's hard, i know, when you feel very strongly about something but i suppose you and your mom both feel that way, you both feel strongly about your opinions. i hope it doesn't drive a wedge too far because i know you, and i know you're just the best and from all you have ever told me of your mom and the couple times i've met her, i know she's great too. hang in there. like i said, you're the best, allen!! your capable of such great things and overcoming any difficulty that is in front of you.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the comments...Chelsea is that last one to come into our family but, I must say, she was definitely sent to us for a reason. I know in time we will humble ourselves and let love mend the scrapes and bruises we have created over this whole mess. I love you all!