In the past few days, I have been very fortunate to be emotionally moved by some closely related events.

This morning, June 17, I read an article in the Vancouver Columbian of an event that occurred in San Francisco on June 16, 2008. That afternoon, the mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newson, presided at the wedding of Del Martin, age 87, and Phyllis Lyon, age 84, two ladies who have been together since 1953. These two women, lesbian rights activists, were the first to be legally married after the ruling legalizing same sex unions went into effect at 5 PM, on June 16. The accompanying picture showed two women who appeared to be very happy. They were very like any other persons who believed in their right to be with whomever they wished and do so in a legal manner. My heart was very warmed by this news, and as a romantic, I wanted to be able to hug these two women and wish them happiness.

This past weekend, I was honored and pleased to participate in the PRIDE celebration in Portland. I was a volunteer for the Portland Area Business Association (PABA) at their booth at PRIDE. I observed several people of either sex enjoying beautiful weather on a day of celebration of people’s rights. I observed adult men and women, young children, families of two women and of two men, enjoying their right to be together. There was no immoral behavior, no obnoxious rudeness, no harassment of any one else. All I observed was human love, sharing of the moments, and a peacefulness that filled me with calm and joy. I enjoyed the two days because I was working for an association that I have come to love and honor, but I later reflected more on how much the two days meant to me. I saw men and women in couples, probably in their sixties, seventies, or eighties, walking hand in hand, looking up into the sky with smiles on their faces. I saw two women, sharing the joy of their daughter playing with a balloon and enchanted by another person’s small puppy. I also saw people dancing with strangers, and I watched others laughing at some joke or just a shared smile.

We live in a time of political, economic, emotional, financial, mental, and physical strife. Isn’t it wonderful that we can find situations where we can express our kindness, gentleness, and love toward one another? Even those of us who are only observers can benefit from the actions of others or from events in strangers’ lives.

Thank all of you who allowed me to share your happiness and love, even those of you who were not aware of my enjoyment, or even of my existence. You have warmed my heart and my mind.

Jim Teasley is an independent representative of Juice Plus and an active member of the Portland Area Business Association (PABA,) Portland’s GLBT Chamber of Commerce. Jim can be reached through comments here or via his website: JP4Now.

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