Be a lighthouse

I was impressed by these words from President Obama's speech at Notre Dame the other day:

"

 In this world of competing claims about what is right and what is true, have confidence in the values with which you’ve been raised and educated. Be unafraid to speak your mind when those values are at stake. Hold firm to your faith and allow it to guide you on your journey. Stand as a lighthouse."

We're writing to you from the southeastern corner of San Francisco, a neighborhood known as Visitacion Valley.  It's a small neighborhood, often overlooked by the city, but it's home and it is going to become a better place, mark my words.  Already has in the 10 years we've lived here.  You know, I've had a number of synchronous experiences in recent days, suggesting it might be time to trust the process of life, not listen to the things others might say out of fear or a need to dissuade.  We don't want to be rash, but extreme times call for extreme measures.  We're a queer couple, entering middle age, we've spent a third of our lives together, and we are your neighbors, service providers, friends, and people you think you hate--or at least diminish.  But you know, it's time to get on with our lives.  I have ideas about where this might take us, and no idea of where it might take use.  Periphery view:  we're on the edge of San Francisco.  We're on the edge of the Ocean and the Continent.  We are on the outside, still, of much of society, or at least are viewed by others as being as such.  Welcome to our corner of America.  Welcome to our home.