When you change, the world changes with you

As an openly-supportive mother of gay children, I have made a transition that gives me respect in my circle of family and friends. Complete openness is disarming and freeing. And, believe me, when you change, the world changes with you.
No longer do I see someone smack a spouse who is making a disparaging anti-gay remark and give him that look, then watch the cartoon bubble seemingly appear above his head: "Oops, I forgot, Pat's kids are gay."
There are no gay slurs. It's no longer "the gossip" whispered behind my back.
When a secret isn't a secret anymore, what is it? Poof, it evaporates into reality and acceptance.
I talk freely, openly and proudly about my children and their partners--just like everybody else. Why did I ever have the feeling that I couldn't? They are equally loved and respected and enjoyed by family and friends.
As parents of gays, I guess we allow ourselves to be backed into a closet of our own sometimes.
Openness is not confession--it's freedom. I know, nobody called to tell you their kids were heterosexual, so why do we have to go there. We just do!
If you haven't done it. It's time. Remember, when you change, watch your world change with you.
And really, it's bigger than you and me. As the world changes with us, maybe the attitude and respect for the gay community will change, too. Soon the reality of same-sex marriage will come to pass, and, again, everyone will wonder what all the fuss was about.