Growing Up UU, by Ruby Reithel

Late last year, Ruby Reithel shared her unique experience as a child growing up in a UU congregation. Ruby is a university student, equine trainer and riding instructor, and member of UUCO. 

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Growing Up UU

Growing up UU meant there was never only one right way of doing things -- whether that meant building dreamcatchers, designing thank-you cards, or drawing pictures of what God might look like.

Growing up UU meant that as a child, even with my own extended family living halfway across the country, I never once in my life have felt unloved. When UU's run into each other around town (especially when you are a "UU Child"), they often engage in a sort of odd, exceedingly joyous, exceedingly celebratory display of affection that to-the-unfamiliar may seem somewhat over-zealous. You'll get used to it.

Growing up UU meant I had a circle of friends that were steady playmates, peers, and almost like siblings. I grew up with these people. We embarrassed ourselves at talent shows (repeatedly, over time), cooked together, ate together, got stung by bees together, dealt with the shortcomings of public education together, camped together, rock-climbed together, volunteered at the Humane Society, local Pantry, and elderly homes together.

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Growing up UU meant I, even as a child, felt important and felt my voice mattered.

Growing up UU meant I believed there was an abundance of Good in the world -- and knew that there were others who felt the same.

Growing up UU meant I was not afraid to rant and rave about my interests and passions -- because I understood these were truly things which made me unique and worthwhile.

Growing up UU meant not everyone in the world would understand me, or comprehend what it means to be Unitarian Universalist, but un familiarity is just a part of life, and a chance for teaching and sharing, and that's okay.

Growing up UU meant there was always more to learn -- about life, about love, and about other ways of thinking. A closed door is simply that -- a closed opportunity. We don't always have grand choices in our lives, but when we realize our power is in finding the open doors -- we become free and powerful navigators of our own lives.

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