Date: January 25 – Lift up a Story of Courageous Love Staff Member: Spirituality and Service Consultant Erik Mohn Description: When was the last time you recognized those whose words and deeds exemplify the values of inclusion, diversity, community, and equality? Now is an ideal time to honor your hero, whether it’s someone famous, someone in your congregation or family, or a local community partner. While this is not a story of equality or diversity, I would like to take this time to honor my sister and my mother. A few months ago my father was diagnosed with cancer, which was a huge shock to everyone. A lot of worry and questions followed the diagnosis, which, no doubt, lead to a significant amount of stress, especially during the holiday season. And, while it is a family’s job to take care of each other, it has been an honor and a blessing to watch my sister and my mother take charge and support my father, and other family members, through this process. My father had a major surgery on Wednesday (January 18, 2012) and is now doing much better. He will still have to go through a major recovery period, however, I will be happy to work with my sister and my mother in supporting him through that stage. Upon reflecting on this story and looking a little deeper at the roles my sister and mother have played in my father’s life I realize that this is, indeed, a story of diversity and equality. My sister and mother have had and will always have different relationships with my father and, of course, they are different people. However, through love and compassion they have come together for the same goal: my father’s health and recovery. - Erik.