Veganniversary

Apparently, June is a big month for anniversaries in my life. June 19th was the one year anniversary of my first home purchase. It slipped right past me but, June 25th marked 12 years of veganism.

It has been a long time. People often ask me how long I have been vegan so this landmark should have been in the forefront of my memory. Generally, most are shocked when I tell them. It seems they expect me to have a much smaller number of years, or even still be counting in months. Immediately, it is assumed that my parents are vegan and I grew up that way or that I must be the healthiest man on earth. It is amusing the assumptions people make about veganism.

Another frequent question I get is "why?" I never really have an answer and my personality allows me the space to give them a sarcastic asinine answer and change the subject. Honestly, I do not have an easy answer anymore. When I was 18, I would have given a tirade of facts about animal cruelty. I still could, or even more facts on the environmental impact of the meat and dairy industry, health concerns, ideas relating to primitive cultures, and so much more. I guess, in part, I am vegan for all of these reasons.

Mainly, I am vegan because I am. I learned how to live vegan. I cook vegan, dress vegan, digest vegan, shop vegan, buy vegan, I am vegan. I do not know anything else. I would not even know how to shop for, prepare, cook, or eat anything that was not vegan. It is that simple. I am vegan because I am. Keeping in simple. After 12 years, my vegan lifestyle is done without much thought. It is just natural, simple.

Not everything has to be nice, fancy, complex, and cool. Sometimes simple is best, like taking a watermelon and cutting it into chucks for an evening treat. Simple but amazing.