Even though people may be mean, you are still you. No matter what shape or size you come in, even if people are mean, don't be mean back.
I know many people who are different. When you are different, you are special. I don't laugh. I say, "do you want to play with me?"
I go through tough times, but I speak up. Don't let people be mean to your friends. I tell the nearest grown up.
If you're mean to your friends they will be mean back. So be kind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Norah Middleton
Monday, August 14, 2017
Love Lives Here
My children are growing up with a Jewish aunt, uncle and cousins. I have sat at several Seder dinner tables, lit candles on the menorah, attended an Aufruf, and stood as maid of honor to a bride and her groom as the tallit was wrapped around them and they began their life as husband and wife. An honor was bestowed on me eight and a half years ago when I was asked to be Godmother to a precious baby boy...who is being raised Jewish. None of this may seem earth shattering on its own, but I was brought up Catholic and am practicing and raising my girls in the faith. My Jewish family is one of choice and not blood, but my kiddos do not know a difference. Rather, an effort is made to teach them that love and family comes in all different shapes, sizes and religions. Their faithfulness enriches our faithfulness.
My daughters are growing up with an Hispanic uncle and cousins. With ancestry from the Dominican Republic, Spanish is spoken by their eldest female cousin and their uncle. This does not cause my kids any concern, it excites them. They wish they knew more than boring English. Family and love transcends language and ethnicity.
My girls have a friend who is 6 and transgender. They are aware. Do you know what they said in reaction? "It's awesome she can be who she knows she is!" They love her for her kind heart and the fun they share when playing. Friendship doesn't care one ounce about gender. And my cousin, preparing for a same-sex marriage, has a relationship no different than the love my babies see in their parents, because a family's love isn't determined by gender, either.
It is my goal and my responsibility as a mother to raise my children to lead with love; to show them how to be brave when facing adversity and to always be kind. If I am to serve as an example, I need to not only talk about acceptance of differences, but celebrate them in daily life. To be Catholic and Christian, to me, means I am called to treat everyone I meet with respect and open arms as Jesus taught us. To judge is not my job, for we all sin. My faith is not superior to another. My skin is not superior to others. My gender and sexuality is not superior to anyone else's. And maybe more importantly, no one is lesser than. Everyone is deserving of love, acceptance, and FREEDOM!
While hate is taught, I think we need to do more to ACTIVELY teach the importance, beauty, and lessons learned from our differences. To be American, a member of the great melting pot, is to embrace cultures and languages and lifestyles. If love comes in an unfamiliar package, it is still love. Do not diminish what you do not know. Rather, take the opportunity to learn, grow, share, and embrace.
As we face a scary and disturbing time in our nation, I could not sit quietly. History is repeating itself. Why? We have become complacent and turned a blind eye. Because hate may not directly affect you does not mean you have no voice or reason to speak up. I generally talk to my friends about my concerns and opinions on the world and do not use social media as my platform for anything other than fun. The acts of terrorism of late require a change, a voice, and a bigger stage. When hate is at a fever pitch, we must yell, scream and bang on drums. Hate does not live here. LOVE LIVES HERE! LET LOVE DRIVE OUT HATE! And please know, no matter our differences, I LOVE YOU!
My daughters are growing up with an Hispanic uncle and cousins. With ancestry from the Dominican Republic, Spanish is spoken by their eldest female cousin and their uncle. This does not cause my kids any concern, it excites them. They wish they knew more than boring English. Family and love transcends language and ethnicity.
My girls have a friend who is 6 and transgender. They are aware. Do you know what they said in reaction? "It's awesome she can be who she knows she is!" They love her for her kind heart and the fun they share when playing. Friendship doesn't care one ounce about gender. And my cousin, preparing for a same-sex marriage, has a relationship no different than the love my babies see in their parents, because a family's love isn't determined by gender, either.
It is my goal and my responsibility as a mother to raise my children to lead with love; to show them how to be brave when facing adversity and to always be kind. If I am to serve as an example, I need to not only talk about acceptance of differences, but celebrate them in daily life. To be Catholic and Christian, to me, means I am called to treat everyone I meet with respect and open arms as Jesus taught us. To judge is not my job, for we all sin. My faith is not superior to another. My skin is not superior to others. My gender and sexuality is not superior to anyone else's. And maybe more importantly, no one is lesser than. Everyone is deserving of love, acceptance, and FREEDOM!
While hate is taught, I think we need to do more to ACTIVELY teach the importance, beauty, and lessons learned from our differences. To be American, a member of the great melting pot, is to embrace cultures and languages and lifestyles. If love comes in an unfamiliar package, it is still love. Do not diminish what you do not know. Rather, take the opportunity to learn, grow, share, and embrace.
As we face a scary and disturbing time in our nation, I could not sit quietly. History is repeating itself. Why? We have become complacent and turned a blind eye. Because hate may not directly affect you does not mean you have no voice or reason to speak up. I generally talk to my friends about my concerns and opinions on the world and do not use social media as my platform for anything other than fun. The acts of terrorism of late require a change, a voice, and a bigger stage. When hate is at a fever pitch, we must yell, scream and bang on drums. Hate does not live here. LOVE LIVES HERE! LET LOVE DRIVE OUT HATE! And please know, no matter our differences, I LOVE YOU!
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