Comment from rtobaygo

Excellent

Good afternoon, Patty

Hooray for you sticking to your convictions! I have a sixteen year old grandson that's gay. My daughter, a single mom, has embraced for what he is as I have. The notion that it can be fixed sounds like being neutered or spayed. Your son was created in the image of God and that should be more than enough for him to be accepted. As for the ignorant christains (did not capitalize) that forced you to leave the church...it's there loss.

Take care and stay safe,

Ray

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Ray; thank you so much for this very encouraging review. I appreciate your viewpoint and share - I think the church lost four devoted volunteers through their actions, and I'm sure we were missed,

~patty~

Comment from doggymad

Excellent

Thank you for sharing this Patty. I felt the same as you did when my nephew came out at 16. I was proud of him and afraid for him too.

Just because you don't follow a particular institution doesn't mean that you have to be without faith

hugs

Freda

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Freda;
thank you so much for the lovely review. I appreciate your kind words and share,

~patty~

Comment from nancy_e_davis

Excellent

I would have reacted as you did. Mama bear will always defend her cub. It is what it is. They can't change him. They should have understood your reaction. They will answer to God for being so narrow minded. Love Nancy

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Nancy; thank you so much for the kind and encouraging review,

~patty~

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Good, Lord, Patty, why would anyone turn away from you. Not to insult any believers, but the church and their so called ministers are the worst bigots. Well known fact is there are more gays within the church than outside. Sorry, I feel very strongly about this. Why on earth should you make an apology to anybody. I'm so glad you and yours stand up for your son. I'eve got so many gay friends that I should write a story about it. It's about time that people wake up and see reality. Sorry, I got carried away here. A very well written piece. I do hope your son has a happy life. All the best. Ulla)))

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Ulla; thank you so much for this very supportive review. I think I have more gay friends than straight friends at this point in my life. I'm the accountant for two of the local chapters of the LGBT community, and I love sharing the lives of these people. My husband and I are surrogate Mom and Dad for so many people who have been disenfranchised.

thank you, again,

~patty~

Comment from Rasmine

Excellent

Hello, Patty, :)

I really liked this sentence: (You go girl!) Their faces were in shock because no one had ever seen me as anything but pleasant, but this Mamma Bear was fighting for her cub.

I can't believe this, but I know it to be true: Branded a heretic, I was asked to leave the church and never return.

I lived in a 'Christian' building that evicted a new mother with her two-month-old baby in the middle of winter on Three King's Day. I don't think that organized religion is about God's love for us -- I see it as just another business. And businesses do what they can to look the best. After they evicted Filomena, they gave a whole bunch of furniture for the social room. (I had stuck up for Mena and her baby and even threatened to go to the paper if they don't wait until spring. Didn't work but they are still on my black list).

If you lose anyone from here, because you love and accept your son, they are not worth having as a friend on here. Have a good weekend.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

thank you so much for your kind and loving review. I do believe that if I lose anyone - well, I'm not sure if they were ever my friend anyway. Your words and share brought me inner joy - I'm sorry you had to see something hateful at a church facility; seems that all Christians are NOT created equal.

~patty~

Comment from JDRBAR

Excellent

I, too, was shocked when my youngest son came out as gay, so I know exactly how you feel. Outsiders didn't give a damn one way or another. It was his own siblings and father that turned away from him. His father didn't even go to to see him when he was dying. I could never do that. He was my son. When he lay dying in the hospital we talked at length and I begged him to accept Jesus before he died. He never told me his decision, but I truly feel in my heart that he did.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

To lose a son, and know you are his only family must have been unbearable. I sincerely hope you can hang onto the fact that your son accepted Christ. Sometimes, I think this is the one redeeming fact in my life - I know I will spend eternity with my kids; both of them are firm believers - and for me, it makes all the difference.

Thank you so much for this lovely review. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for understanding,

~patty~

Comment from Bucketlist

Excellent

Patty, I will never judge you for your view of anything. Your son has a different sexual orientation. People don't get judged for being heterosexual,so why persecute gays. It's not your fault, and I'm sure he is a very nice man, because of your love and understanding. I applaud you for sharing your feelings. We all need acceptance from others. You and your son have mine.
Hugs, Trisha

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Trisha; thank you so much for this very loving review. I appreciate your kind words and acceptance.

~patty~

reply by Bucketlist on 07-Jul-2017

You are welcome my friend

Comment from Margaret Snowdon

Exceptional

What a handsome lad and it's no wonder you are so proud of him, Patty.

Some of the nicest men I have ever met in my life time have been gay -
a couple of chaps who worked on the great liners as stewards lived near
us when Colin and I first married, and they were just like any other couple
in their ways - kept a lovely home, welcomed friends and cooked some
delicious meals. When I was out gardening and they were passing our house,
we used to stand talking for ages.
I think those of your church, intending to "fix" your son were bloody
hypocrites - in the name of God - how could we love a sibling less
just because he is gay - I think they need listening to, supporting
and understanding - and encouraged to be themselves.

My middle son is a Psychotherapist, and some of his patients have been
gay men who have had issues. He has great understanding of human
nature. Those patients who were struggling with themselves were that
way because of other peoples' lack of compassion and undertanding.

I respect your views completely and applaud you for speaking out.
big hugs, my friend.

Margaret

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Margaret; thank you so much for this lovely review of a piece I thought was 'too controversial.' I've been relieved to see the amount of positive reviews, and your exceptional rating is a special reward.

Thank you for your support,

~patty~

Comment from Thomas Bowling

Excellent

The Youth Pastor told him it could be 'fixed.'

What kind of stupid response is this? And then to top it off, the boy is gay, so, throw the mother out of the church. Thank you for fighting for your son.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Thomas;
thank you so much for this heartfelt review. Yes, 'fixing' a gay person is totally ridiculous. As for kicking me out of the church and branding me a heretic - it deprived me of any kind of support group. Nice, right?

~patty~

Comment from F. Wehr3

Excellent

Good for you, Mama bear! I think it is noble to stand up for your child and stand against those who would do anything to hurt him. As the 'fixing', what a joke. Thanks for sharing your story of tolerance. Best of luck in the contest.

I believe in Jesus Christ and I've been a Christian since I was a small child --Suggest a comma before and.

Take care,
Russell

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2017

Hi Russell; thank you so much for the positive remarks and kind words. I appreciate you catching the nit - I fixed it.

Your support means a great deal to me,

~patty~