Yesterday I celebrated 3 years of being veg*n. It’s hard to believe that something that means so much to me, that has so completely shaped the person that I am today, that is such an integral part of how I relate to the world, has only been a part of my life for 1095 days.
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On my veganniversary, I woke up in bed with my little veg*n family. I kissed my husband goodbye and sent him off to work. He commutes 10+ miles by bike every day. He is plant-strong and even as a sleep-deprived hard-working daddy, he has abundant energy and is in the best shape of his entire life. And he looks good.
On my veganniversary, I strapped my toddler onto my back and we picked our breakfast from our garden. My little penguin ate fresh strawberries with his oatmeal, and there was lots of swiss chard for the blender.
On my veganniversary, I treated myself to a decadent black forest smoothie. Farmer’s Market bing cherries and raw cacao. It was divine.
On my veganniversary, I took my son swimming in the gorgeous summer sun. My boy is tall and muscular and fiercely intelligent. And he makes quite a splash!
We met some friends there at the pool, on my veganniversary. Katie has been vegan for over 12 years, and she was the one who helped me in the beginning. Scarlett has been vegan for all of her 11 months.
They’re totally gonna get married some day.
On my veganniversary, Waits and I took the spotted furbaby on a long meandering walk around the local marsh. He, too, is becoming veg*n.
In the evening, I had a delicious dinner with my little family, and we talked about what veganism means to us. Our annual “state of the vegan” meeting, if you will.
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I’ve written in the past about how my veganism is always in flux, ever evolving. It grows like I do and it will always continue to change. As it should.
Right now, today, 1096 days in, all I can say is that I am so thankful to be vegan. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude to have found this lifestyle. I feel proud and passionate and blessed to be able to live out my values of non-violence,
taken to their only logical conclusion,
in completion,
every day.
And I cherish the gifts that veganism gives back to me:
The good health and strong immune system and boundless energy that I experience, which makes me an adventurous mother, and an attentive wife, and a productive writer.
The self-awareness and mindful reflection, the inward honesty that comes from living in truth; free from cognitive dissonance. It’s harder this way, but the rewards are richer.
The openness. The compassion that reminds me to be kind to all animals, including the human ones. Including myself.
These are the lessons that I want to pass on to my son. These lessons that I still struggle with learning, myself.
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http://zazazu.wordpress.com/ Karen Beth
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Brooke
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http://jenthevegan.wordpress.com Jen
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http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}
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Minna
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shell
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http://www.love-life-project.com Stephanie
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http://vegmomof4.blogspot.com/ April
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http://craftylittlegnome.blogspot.com/ Adrienne Audrey
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Shelby
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http://veganlinda.blogspot.com veganlinda
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Shira
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veronika
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http://www.mynaturallyfrugalfamily.blogspot.com Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
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Selina
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http://www.julieoneill.com Julie
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veronika
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Happy Days