Growing up as a military brat meant a lot of things.
Patriotism was part of the fabric of my life, woven into the everyday rhythm of my upbringing. Loyalty, honor, and respect for life, liberty, and freedom were more than just words—they were values I was raised to embody.
But my life wasn’t just about the red, white, and blue. It was about change.
It also meant moving every two to four years. I've lived everywhere from Maine to Oregon and South Dakota to Nevada. I've lived rural. (Like, RU.Ral.) I've lived inner city. (Like Decatur and Washington in Vegas, baby.)
Social survival meant constantly making new friends and trying to find belonging in completely different environments.
And I did.
I learned early on that true belonging wasn’t about imposing my ways onto others, but about listening, observing, and adapting to the new cultures around me.
I’ve lived in farmland communities where cornfields lined the roadsides and the nearest stoplight was miles away. I’ve lived in the heart of cities, where the noise never stopped and diversity was a natural part of life. From Maine to Oregon, South Dakota to Texas, I encountered people from all walks of life. And through each transition, I learned to appreciate the diverse perspectives of the people around me—not as something to fear or resist, but as an opportunity for growth.
Maybe it’s who I am. Maybe it’s how I was raised. But no matter the reason, I’m grateful for those years of exposure to new ways of thinking, living, and being. My life has been shaped by the diversity of people, cultures, and beliefs I’ve encountered. It’s the reason I respect and love the influence they’ve had on me.
Because, in truth, diversity isn’t a concept—it’s a lived experience that connects us all.
As a religious educator, I had the privilege of engaging with people of different faiths,
theologies, and philosophies. Some of my fondest memories come from interfaith discussions with thoughtful, passionate individuals who, despite their differing beliefs, came together to seek unity, love, and understanding. What struck me most about these conversations was the power of listening—really listening—not to refute, but to understand.
It was in those moments that I truly grasped the idea that respect for difference can lead to growth, healing, and connection.
On a day like today—when we witness a presidential inauguration on the same day we honor Martin Luther King Jr.—I find myself reflecting on the deep divisions that still persist in the nation I was raised to love. The conflict and discontent that fill the headlines are a stark contrast to the values I grew up with.
Why does it feel like humans are fated to repeat history, caught in patterns of division that only lead to destruction?
Abraham Lincoln had a powerful insight when he said, “A nation divided against itself cannot stand.” And Christ’s message to love your neighbor—whether or not they look, think, or believe as you do—remains just as relevant today.
If we want to create real connection, build true community, and foster inclusion, it begins with respect and a commitment to understanding each other. Not as a policy or a checkbox, but as a way of life.
We’re all part of the same human story.
The world continues to evolve.
We should too.
Inclusion isn’t a trend or a buzzword—it’s the key to thriving together. If we can focus on finding common ground and respecting one another’s journeys, we might just have a chance to create the connection and community that will carry us forward.
For every living soul who has blessed my life, I'm grateful for you. I honor you.
For those who died believing that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence), I thank you.
It’s a bittersweet day. One where my heart hurts, and yet, as Martin Luther King, Jr. declared, I also have a dream that one day we will be able to live up to our humanity and “we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”
What is in one is in the whole. United we stand. Divided we fall.
God bless us. Every one.
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