Making Tracks

By Kat Bryant

A lot’s been going on in my life this past month: a long road trip for an untimely funeral followed by a gothic wedding in Idaho, taking on my best friend as a housemate to share expenses, my dad buying a house after spending just a week in Sequim.

But what I want to tell you about today is my own “new beginning.”

In the past several months, I’ve stepped back from Scouting. I will continue to support the organization as I can, and I will forever be a proud Eagle mom. But I no longer feel I’m needed there; so I’m turning my attention to a couple of other local nonprofits whose missions matter to me personally.

First, I have committed to an executive board position with Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition, which is dedicated to “advocacy and education to create a just society free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

I hear some of you asking: Why would a straight middle-aged broad care so much about that? Well, I’ll tell you.

I’ve mentioned before in this space that my brother Jeff, my son Garrett, my stepson Sam and my college bestie Dian are all part of the LGBTQ+ community, and I’ve made numerous other friends over the years as well. Through those closest to me, I’ve seen true love and perseverance. I’ve also seen fear, frustration and defiance.

It saddens me that so many straight people are afraid to open their hearts and minds to a community that’s so full of joy. It disturbs me that so many LGBTQ+ youth and adults are afraid to express their true selves for fear of social or even physical reprisal. And it’s beyond my comprehension how any parent could disown a child they birthed and raised because their definitions of “love” differ.

So yes, this straight middle-aged broad is proud to be an Ally; and I hope to help make a difference on the Harbor through my service on this board.

The other nonprofit I’m affiliating with this month is PAWS of Grays Harbor. I’ve done some volunteer work over the past couple of years with Aberdeen’s friendly no-kill shelter, and I intend to join their board at this month’s meeting.

Yes, I’m an animal lover. And every pet I’ve ever had as an adult has been a rescue in some form or another. Over the years, I’ve adopted fuzzy family members not only from local pounds and shelters, but also through friends who had to move suddenly; from a box of kittens that was on its way to the pound; from a litter of pups born to a friend’s newly adopted rescue dog; and even from a gas station in the middle of nowhere. Every last one of them has brought joy to my life, and I like to think I’ve done the same for them.

Last spring I adopted Grace, an elderly pittie, from PAWS. During that process, I discovered just how dedicated these folks are. They don’t let just anyone adopt members of their fuzzy family; they make sure it’s a good fit all around. And, as anyone who follows me on Facebook knows, Grace has successfully wiggled her way into my household.

There are literally hundreds of nonprofit organizations in this region that need volunteers and/or board members. Surely one of them matters to you in some way. So, what are you doing with your free time?

Board-dom beats boredom any day. What wags your tail?

Kat Bryant is lifestyle editor of The Daily World and editor of Washington Coast Magazine. No, she doesn’t need any more pets right now, thanks —five is more than enough! Reach her at kbryant@thedailyworld.com or on Facebook at Kat Bryant-DailyWorld.