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plants and voila – a private escape underneath the oaks . Newly built steps added security because my husband was convinced I should not be going up and down the old ladder toting cold cans with “ blue mountains ” lest I topple one evening !
So , I was able to repurpose a treasure , and we ’ re beginning to create new memories there . “ Mom ’ s Perch ,” as we now call it , has been graced with countless visitors in a short time . It is a natural gathering spot . I recently had the pleasure of sitting in the glow of solar twinkle lights with each of my children as they recounted memories of their childhood in the tree fort . Silly things they did . Dangerous things they did that I am glad I didn ’ t know about at the time , and they thankfully lived to laugh about now . This spot , elevated above the garden , affords my eye a private view of hard work and love that have evolved over time . Just as the trees grew , so did our blessings .
I will continue to toil away . Any gardener will tell you the work is never done . Every weekend is spent in part trimming , nipping and piddling in the garden . My husband says my idea of piddling is most people ’ s idea of a full day ’ s hard labor , but I don ’ t mind . Nightly strolls through the paths , Sheltie at my heels , and glass of wine or watering hose in hand as needed . There is always something to trim , pull , move , spray , build … my eye continues to find ways to improve . This weekend it ’ s an arbor we will be building at the gated entrance . Life itself began in a garden . Mine , small as it is , blesses us and those we love beyond measure . �
Safe Space
Several years ago , you may have started noticing offices and workstations with a placard beside their entrances , sporting a multi-colored circle containing the words “ Safe Space .” If you ’ ve ever wanted to know more about Safe Space , the Q & A below should answer most of your questions and , if you ’ d like to get more information or serve as a Safe Space Ally , please know you ’ d be welcome .
Q : Safe Space seems to have a lot of meanings and connotations . What is Safe Space at Life U ? A : In terms of our values at Life University , Safe Space is part of the Life University commitment to compassion as an expression of the “ Out of Abundance ” part of Lasting Purpose . Originally , Safe Space was begun as a way to provide our lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender , intersex and questioning ( LGBTIQ ) students with the message , “ You are welcome to be the best YOU at Life U .” It also stands to reason that our LGBTIQ colleagues and coworkers could also benefit from and appreciate hearing the message that they are welcome and valued members of the Life U community . And , although the major emphasis of Safe Space remains on supporting the LGBTIQ community , it is also focused on welcoming all people of goodwill , honoring and inborn rights , optimizing their innate abilities regardless of any of the legally protected classes ( such as age , race , ethnic background , national origin , religion or sex ) and also regardless of gender , sexual identity or sexual preference .
A : What is a Safe Space Ally ? Q : An Ally is someone who has participated in four hours of training aimed at providing them with awareness , terms , issues and resources associated with the LGBTIQ community and , in turn , asks that they pledge to be open and welcoming to any member of the community who might need an empathetic ear .
Q : How / when did Safe Space begin ? A : Safe Space began as a request from students , asking the University to consciously consider and respect the perspectives and realities of the LGBTIQ community and not make heteronormative assumptions in communicating with students ( which , by way of example , is another way of saying that not everyone has an opposite sex partner so perhaps we shouldn ’ t just assume they do by asking all males about their girlfriends and all females about their boyfriends – that ’ s likely to be incorrect about 3.5 % of the time – or more ). Student Services , Academic Affairs , Service Initiatives , the Sid E . and Nell K . Williams Library and Marketing combined efforts to ensure there are non-judgmental , supportive environments available .
Q : How can someone become a Safe Space Ally ? A : If you ’ d like to offer yourself and your space as a safe space that is welcoming and respectful of differences in the ways we ’ ve talked about , email SafeSpace @ LIFE . edu to sign up for Ally training .
Q : When will the next training sessions be held ? A : There will be one this quarter and one next quarter :
• Tuesday , August 22 , 9am-12pm
• Tuesday , October 17 , 1pm-4pm
Q : What if I just want to have the information but don ’ t want to be an Ally ? A : You ’ re welcome to take part in the Ally training and then opt out of being an Ally if you don ’ t feel you can serve as an Ally .
Q : Where can I get more info , such as a list of Allies ? A : Visit https :// www . LIFE . edu / campus-life-pages / safe-space / or email SafeSpace @ LIFE . edu . �
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