Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Advent 2 Tuesday: Scenes from an Advent * edited

Beloved's home is torn apart.

There is a structural issue with her building, about a hundred year old structure, an apartment building, which houses her business on the ground level and has 6 beautiful apartments above. Beloved lives in an apartment directly over the business.

The structural issue was discovered early in the summer/ late spring. It has taken all this time (more than six months) to go from discovery to plans being drawn up by a contractor in conjunction with an engineer, to getting the city on board with a grant to assist with the cost. They have recently taken the front off the building, directly affecting Beloved's living space. What was an airy, spacious loft-style apartment is now closed in with a temporary wall, insulated but allowing no light in.

That's the first thing.

We are still struggling to get out of the economic downturn. Beloved's business is feeling it.

That's the second thing.

Beloved recently got a hateful, anonymous phone message, targeting her for her sexuality. The person who left it had clearly been in her place of business, as he described in detail items that can be seen there. It used language I cannot repeat, it was so vile and frightening. The moron who left it, however, did not block his phone number, so Beloved was able to give it to the police-- who proceeded to tell her how hard these things are to prove, and that she essentially shouldn't expect them to be able to charge anyone.

The day after she reported it to the police, her car was covered in nasty graffiti-- written in the snow, mercifully.

That's the third thing.

My Beloved, little darling atheist she is, would cringe at this request. So I make it on my behalf, not hers. Would you pray for her, friends? Just that she would feel some comfort and assurance in the midst of what is, at the moment, a dark and stressful season? We don't have to tell her about it. Thanks a bunch.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you sure she doesn't read your blog? I have offered up a prayer for both of you.

Wormwood's Doxy said...

You've got mine.

And Beloved needs to go over the heads of those officers who took the report. Or to the newspaper.

That phone call is the textbook definition of assault ("At Common Law, an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact.")

Scream loud. Scream long. That **** has got to stop.

Doxy

August said...

How awful! I can't believe she's being targeted by some hater in such a vile, public way! This is almost 2010 people!! Ug. And yes, I will pray for the both of you.

Suzer said...

Prayers ascending. For Beloved, for you, for the sadly misguided homophobe, for the police who should follow up more aggressively, and for our society that quietly and (mostly) silently sits by. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

8thday said...

I am so sorry that your beloved is experiencing such troubles and hate.

Positive and heartwarming energy ascending.

Erika Baker said...

Prayers for you both! And virtual hugs. And chocolate.

miekevandersall said...

shit we have to catch up. and yes, prayers. and you know--you probably should tell her. just sayin.

Cynthia said...

I'm biting back several harsh comments about that caller in an effort to be a better person than I know myself to be. That won't stop me from praying for safety and peace for you and your beloved, and a little enlightenment for the !@#$.

God_Guurrlll said...

sighes too deep for words.

healing energy coming both your ways.

jsd said...

I'm so sorry, prayers for you and her both.

Mary Sue said...

Things Learned at my Grandmother's Knee
1) Do not trust cops to just do the right thing.
2) DO NOT TRUST COPS TO JUST DO THE RIGHT THING.

It's really easy to pass the buck off to the officers and hope they will do something, but you need to keep reminding them that you are here and still being targeted (she did get pictures of the snow-graffiti, right?)

Prayers ascending.

KnittinPreacher said...

Prayers and hugs. Miss you!

susankay said...

Prayers of course -- sometimes atheists pray for me so ......

Homophobes are very difficult to love and forgive. Mostly I can't but I try.

Phone call followed by graffiti -- I think a charge of stalking would be appropriate.

Karen said...

Prayers for you both.

I hope that she can find a way to get this taken seriously.

IT said...

This is so scary.