Love Leads the Way

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, gratitude, LGBTQ2S+, love, Parenting, Positive Thinking, Pride, TorontoTags:, , , ,

T marched in his first Pride parade and he did amazing!

I’m part of my work’s Pride staff group and it was wonderful to march with colleagues, family and friends for the first time since the pandemic.

It was important to march, because of increased attacks towards the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

It is horrifying to see the vitriol and hate in the US and Canadians are not naive enough to think that we’re immune to this.

T joining us was a last minute decision. I left the house in the early afternoon to join colleagues to prep our materials.

I felt very iffy about him joining us, because the parade can be overwhelming – with a crowd of over a million, loud music, hot weather, long walking. If T became disregulated, it’d be a nightmare.

On the other hand, I always wished for T to march and to not take for granted our liberties that are now under attack – and to explain to T that celebration and advocacy go hand in hand.

By mid afternoon, the hubby confirmed they were coming and I suggested he show T photos from previous marches and to explain what T would be doing, so he could be best prepared.

They arrived as our group entered the parade.

And you know what, this little guy did amazing.

He kept up with the group, waved his rainbow flag, gave out Mardi Gras beads and made it to the end of the nearly 3 km and 1.5 hour walk.

I chuckled when a group of parade spectators waved T down and wanted him to give them his mini rainbow flag. T gave them a high five instead and went on his merry way.

By the end of the parade, my colleagues and I had to do some cleanup and T became quite hangry.

So I apologized and ditched my peers so we could feed our tired and hungry child.

But it was minor blip in an otherwise perfect day.

When love leads the way, amazing things happen – and I will treasure this day forever.

41 thoughts on “Love Leads the Way”

  2. What a heartwarming and inspiring post! It’s truly wonderful to hear about T’s first experience in the Pride parade. The balance of concern and hope that you had for T’s participation, given the sensory overload of such a large event, resonates deeply with any parent striving to provide enriching experiences for their child while being mindful of their comfort and needs.

    Your approach in preparing T for the parade, with photos and explanations, clearly paid off, and it’s heartening to hear how well he adapted and enjoyed the experience. It’s moments like these that not only create cherished memories but also serve as important milestones in a child’s development and understanding of the world around them.

    Moreover, your decision to prioritize T’s well-being over the post-parade cleanup duties is a beautiful reminder of the essence of parenting – being attuned to and responsive to the needs of your child, even in the midst of important commitments.

    Your closing remark, “When love leads the way, amazing things happen,” encapsulates the spirit of the day perfectly. This story isn’t just about celebrating Pride but also about the power of love, understanding, and family. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and uplifting experience.
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    1. Thank you for visiting and commenting very kindly. It was a bit nerve wracking at first thinking of him joining us for the parade. I am so thankful he joined us. It was truly a highlight of this year. 💕🙏

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  4. Pingback: When Training Wheels Come Off – My Life With T

  5. Awww!! What a great day! Actually, I sometimes feel like Canadians think they are safe from what’s happening in the US, which does worry me. I know when I left Alberta, I realized some people there need to learn what it’s really like to live under someone as extreme as Trump. Not all of you need to learn it, but some of you definitely do

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    1. The extremism is getting to be concerning. The US is only going to get worse as the 2024 elections heat up and the Republican primaries do too. Canadians definitely will feel some of that in the coming year. Let’s all hang in there together.

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      1. Yeah, definitely. I heard that when the US sneezes, Canada catches cold. I am hoping it won’t be so true this time. Plus, I have an exit plan in case I need to leave again. By the looks of things, I may need it

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    1. Thank you. It was a wonderful celebration and made the more special because T got to join us. I know Brazil, despite some conservatism, has amazing Pride celebrations too.

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  7. I absolutely LOVE this! Love the pictures, love the celebration, the rainbow flags, umbrellas and more. And T … who could fail to love this little boy, marching proudly with his two dads! Happy Pride Month (yes, I’m a little late … sorry!), my friend!

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    1. Thanks Jill. We’re very lucky to live in a city that celebrates and champions the community. I know it’s not like that everywhere. The SCOTUS ruling this week is a good reminder of that sadly!

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      1. You are indeed lucky to live where people don’t care who you love, what colour your skin, but open their arms to all. It should be that way everywhere in the world! Sigh. SCOTUS literally drove a stake into the heart of this nation last week.

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  8. Glad to hear that T participated in Pride with you and the hubby, along with some work colleagues. It was definitely a hot and humid weekend, so I can understand your initial hesitation. It sounds like it was a success, both in terms of T enjoying and behaving himself, and also in terms of turnout and the parade itself.

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  12. Kudos to T for joining his first ever Pride parade! It sounds like he really enjoyed the experience, and it’s nice that you prepared him of what he should expect to see during the 3 km walk. Love should lead the way, indeed!

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    1. Thank you, Deb. I was and am indeed quite proud of how T did. A part of me thought this was a disaster waiting to happen but he seized the moment. 😊

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  14. I agree with Wynee, love your quote finishing up this piece. So very spot on and important to be said. I love too that you showed photos and prepared T. I’ve found over the years that preparation goes a long way. It’s not a panacea, but it helps to treat kids with respect and let them know what’s coming. It can always prevent hangry moments or challenges, but when you respect your kids and give them a heads up, they tend to respect you back. Beautiful post Ab.

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    1. Thank you Brian. I’m glad you picked up on the prep piece. It is so important for kids like T to especially know what to expect in a situation. Minimizes transition issues. It ended up being a wonderful day and I’m so thankful. 🙂

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    1. I actually attended the pride festival for the first time last year doing outreach. It was an amazing experience.
      Thankfully it was held here & not San Francisco like usual.

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      1. Thank you! Glad you got to participate. I always find it to be a wonderful community building experience. San Francisco has an amazing community and annual pride too!

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