There’s a lot of hate filling the airwaves these days.  There is a lot of division and taking sides, from around the corner to around the world.

It makes my heart heavy.

There are valid conversations and strong opinions on every side, based on the emotional baggage of our past experiences.  We could fight each other other until we’re bloody and more wounded than before.

Or we could choose to love.  

Before you get all fired up, ready to tell me about punishment, what someone ‘deserves,’ and fighting for our rights, please hear me out.  My view of love might be a little different than you think.

The only way I can explain it is to share a story.

One of the hardest things I’m learning about being a mother is, with the depth of love and allegiance so strong toward my babies, it can easily blind me to empathy and compassion for others.

When I hear …