I'm A God Father!?!

Today my new nephew was baptized and his parents, my brother Jason and his wife Sandy, asked me to be the God Father. Of course I was honored, even though the "God Father" thing for me is less about religion and more about my diablolical plan to be little Anthony's favorite uncle.

I rarely step foot in a church unless someone is getting married, someone has died or some political meeting is happening there. But this time it meant a great deal to me to be asked to be Anthony's God Father. One interesting challenge for me was that I was expected to write a letter to my nephew and read it aloud in the church.

The church was packed, it was St. Johns in Fenton, Michigan. What could I do with this opportunity to address the congregation of the church that pushed me so deep in the closet for so long? Should I use this opportunity to get a subtle jab in to the church about diversity and inclusion? After all, the Michigan Catholic Conference spent over a million dollars in 2004 working to ban marriage equality and opposed our hate crimes legislation in 1998. They had it coming to them.

They tried attacking my family, but here I was back in the church, invited by family, celebrating family. They can put barriers in the way of gay families but they can't but barriers in the way of love and my family loves me no matter what. My brother asked his gay brother to be his son's God Father. How cool!

I decided I would keep my letter secular and no one would notice because it would be sweet, poetic, and whimsical. I pulled it off and was excited, and nervous.

After my remarks, a number family members, parishoners (including the priest) complemented me for the great letter and others were actually crying. I was a hit. :)

My letter to my nephew follows. Enjoy.

Letter to my nephew

Anthony,

You won’t believe what your parents did! They did something truly amazing. In a world where decisions are made in haste, you were part of a plan. In a world distracted by celebrity and gossip, your parents were focused on you. In a world poisoned by lead, pollution and noise your parents decided to create something beautiful.

Anthony, you won’t believe what your father did! He loved your mother so much he wanted to start a family…and he did. He loved your sister so much…he wanted to have you. As a man with many responsibilities, your father prioritized you. In a world where boys call themselves men and these “men” see family as a chore, your father lifted you and your family up as his dream and his pride.

Anthony you won’t believe what your mother did! In a world filled with abandonment your mother was there from the start. She made sure you had a strong principled father that would be there for you always. She became a healer, a sage, a chef, an advocate, a referee, an investor and an architect of your well-being. She became all that she could so you could do the same. In a world where some mothers have given up, your mother has given you all of herself.

Most of all, your parents have promised to be your best friends and biggest fans.
I promise you that I will support you and your parents – no matter what. I pledge to be a mentor, a friend, a helping hand, a sounding board and a source of moral leadership in your life. I promise to love you, listen to you, challenge you and when you parents aren’t around I will spoil you rotten.

Anthony, you won’t believe how excited we are for you. Today a journey begins that hopes to prepare you for all that lies ahead. Being welcomed by your church, by your family and by a global community that hopes to leave this planet better than how they found it. I hope to be with you on this journey for as long as I know you.