I'm going to take a moment to share the story of two amazing women that I have the privilege of calling family. I think it is especially important to share this now considering the current political atmosphere. This is a picture of my Mom and my Stepmom. My Mom was light skinned and my Stepmom is darker skinned. My Mom was Christian and my Stepmom is Muslim. My Mom was American and my Stepmom is Egyptian-American. They are seemingly complete opposites in so many ways, yet in so many ways they're not. They both love to cook. They both love animals. They both have unwavering faith. And they are both unbelievably strong. My Mom and Stepmom were not only able to cross the most basic barrier between a current wife and ex-wife but they went above and beyond! They crashed right through religious and cultural barriers as well! They respected and loved each other as human beings. When I was taking care of my Mom, who had ALS/Lou Gehrigs disease, I remember having days where I just physically and emotionally didn't know how I was going to make it through the day. And that was when my Stepmom would step in and tell me to go to bed. My Stepmom took care of my Mom on the days I just couldn't. And when my Mom wanted to go back to church and I just wasn't sure if I was ready, my Stepmom immediately volunteered to go with her. Yes that's right, my Muslim Stepmom took my Christian Mom to church. And do you know what she said when I asked her if she was sure? She told me "God is God." These two women could have easily chosen to dislike each other for any number of reasons! But instead they chose to love and accept each other. I hope that if I ever have the privilege of having children they will be able to witness the kind of unconditional and non-judgmental love I was blessed to witness between two of the most amazing women I've ever known. Instead of tearing each other down, they lifted each other up. And everyone who witnessed their friendship is all the better for it <3
