I've Been Tagged!!!

The amazing Bigg has finally done something no other man (or woman!) has ever done to me: he popped my meme cherry! Yes, up until this very day, no one has ever tagged me to do one of these things and, quite frankly, I have been green with envy as I have watched and read others playing this little interview game. Now, I have seen bloggers open a meme up to anyone who wanted to join in and participate, but I'm hardly the type to invite myself to a party - so I just sat back and waited for my turn to be asked personally, figuring it would never happen. Well, guess fuckin' what - it just happened!

Yay! seriously, this is a big deal to me!

Then, I notice, lo and behold! that this meme isn't about silly stuff I can share. You know, asking about favorite sexual fantasies/exploits, or embarrassing anecdotes from my childhood. No, this meme doesn't center on the crotch or the funny bone. This meme is all about the heart. Considering how gooey and sappy I have been in recent weeks here anyway, I guess this will dovetail nicely. It's just not what I expected for my virginal voyage. So, here goes:

The instructions:

1) Post a note about a blogger you would like to see something wonderful happen for. Maybe one whose posts have touched your heart in one way or another. Include details as to why you admire them and what you wish for them. Be as supporting and affirming as you can.
2) Post your favorite memory around selflessness, giving, or doing for others. Something that has actually changed you.
3) As a postscript, name one thing you will actually do for someone in your life before December 31 that is born out of joy.
4) Tag 3 other bloggers who will play the game and find the spirit. Don't forget to leave a comment on their blog so they continue to share the good feelings.

The responses:

1) At the risk of looking like a Kiss Ass, I have to admit that the first blogger to come to mind here is the man who tagged me. I have followed Bigg for well over a year now, and his story continues to be compelling and heartbreaking, yet courageous and Life-affirming.

What started as a blog about a mature man coming out of the closet, turned into a blog about a man dealing with dating and falling in love with another man, which then incorporated the story lines of divorce and fatherhood, and then turned on a dime into a blog about mortality, sickness, and cancer. Yet, the whole time, his story has been about Dignity and the Human Spirit.

He is so strong that I feel like he's teaching me how to be a Man as I read him, and yet so stubborn that I want to shake him by the shoulders and lecture him until he comes around to MY point of view. I believe in my heart of hearts that if we lived anywhere near each other, we would be dear friends. Or, he'd have me whacked because I'd be such a nuisance. Either could be true.

I don't comment on his posts much anymore, because I feel he's got such a strong group of supporters that my two cents often just echoes what everyone is telling him already. But I look in on him nearly every day. I adore this guy. Always will.

My wish for him is Health and Happiness. He deserves it so.

2) I KNOW I just posted about this, but the story of how my little sisters went out of their way to attend to my older sister's corpse after she died is just profoundly moving to me. This was an act of selflessness that I, as a family member, could NEVER have done myself. It has completely changed how I view my younger sisters now. Before this they were cute, and sweet, and...well... young! Now, I see them as deeply loving and Spiritual and full of a maturity that I can only hope to know one day myself.

3) My "selfless act" before the end of the year involves taking on the project of making a dvd of my father's life to be presented at his surprise 75th birthday party on January 12th. I am already knee-deep in family photos (some of my own, and many, many from other family and friends) that need to be scanned, cropped, assembled, edited together, and set to music. The family also wants me to narrate the thing when it is shown at the party, so I'm going to have to develop a "script" for the presentation.

Silly me, I thought this would be no big deal when I got roped into it. Now, I see how much time it is going to take, and how my family has expectations about how it will turn out. Distilling a man's life down into a 20 minute slide show that catches glimpses of his history, sense of humor, his dedication to his family, and his Faith is a real challenge. I hope to do it justice. Right now, I'm a wee bit overwhelmed, but deep inside I am bursting with pride that I have been given the opportunity to honor this incredible man and share my love of him with a room full of people who feel the same way as I do.

4) Okay, here's where I tag three others! As a gay man, I am all about the Divas in my world, and I would like to single out three of my favorites. So, Kirby, and Sue Doe-Nim, and my darling Mel, please step up and spill your guts. If I ever get tagged again, I'll go gunning for some of my favorite Men-types. That's a promise.