The Heart of a Title Holder

Sometimes, being a title holder is tough. We get up and go about our daily life, we shower and cook and eat; we commute to and from work, clean our homes, care for our family and pets, we deal with drama and all the other normal life activities. All this we do while simultaneously keeping an eye on the internet and an ear to the ground, searching for hints of what our community needs most from us at that time.

Being partners with another title holder concurrently is a big commitment and it's hard. Not just hard work, it's hard on you both because your priorities are challenged. It's easy to tell a panel of judges that your title will take precedence over your relationship - and even your dynamic - but do you really know what you're promising? Do you have it in you to follow through and give the community your all for a year?

I thought I did in March 2012; and I wasn't totally wrong, I understood perfectly what I was saying but I didn't really understand the impact it would have. On myself, on Sir or on both of us; I failed to grasp the way our dynamic would have to shift to allow such a thing. Sir and I won and we're doing all we do because we have a good support structure : based upon our relationship and dynamic, we stand together in all we do for the title; but sometimes we both need somebody besides each other. We are blessed to have our wonderful boy with us, who provides emotional and physical support and offers his ear or shoulder when we need it. Even when he cannot be there for us, or cannot do it all, we have our community. No community is perfect, as no human is perfect and what is a community but a gathering of people similar in lifestyle, beliefs or interests? We do not deceive ourselves that Washington, King County or even just Seattle escapes these truths. But - for all the human flaws in the world - humans are singularly and as a group, capable of greatness, amazing acts of generosity, selflessness and kindness. It has been such an honor to witness the truth of these facts, to personally receive such gifts from folks I consider my family within this community, over this last year.

In return for all the community gives us, isn't it then the duty of the title holders - chosen to represent it - to serve with their whole heart? To serve does not make a person weak, subservient or otherwise lowly; neither does it make a person wise beyond their years, infallible or inhumanly strong. We are human and a part of your family, we serve you as your collective representative and voice. A single voice on the behalf of hundreds and thousands. In our service we learn and grow and strive to give the individuals we meet along the way the chance to achieve the same.

All of this is done for the love of the community that gives many of us a home and family when we can find it in no other place. And it is this love that pushes us to excel, to be all that we can be for as many as possible. This is the truth of holding a title. This is our legacy to you.

Do you share it? Do you yearn for it?