I remember saying to a nun when I was in elementary school that I didn't like the way someone was doing things. She gave me a steely look and said firmly "Life would be pretty boring if we were all the same."
I learned as I grew older that she was right. Getting to know people who are different is one of the most interesting ways I can think of to spend time. It's led me to learn about different cultures, ways of life and, in the end, about myself.
Because the more people I've met, strangely enough the more I've realized we're all the same. Whenever I'm around a person who is very positive and outgoing and enjoys people I notice that they tend to be a tolerant person with a welcoming attitude. They choose to embrace diversity and differences rather than ignore them or pretend the differences don't exist.
In fact, they celebrate differences.
This celebration of how each of us is different, yet we are all the same is a basic tenet of our faith. It keeps us aware of how we are all part of One Body - and encourages unity among Catholics.
How wonderful it is when someone in the airport asks me what my tennis wheelchair is for - and expresses a real interest in what I am doing instead of being afraid to approach me. It's great when I go to a church function and have a good laugh with the other ladies about misperceptions we may have - about each other.
Being around people with disabilities doesn't mean you have to be somber. People with disabilities aren't sick - they are living and doing things, sometimes, in different ways. When we recognize the positives in each other and get past the differences, everyone wins because then all can contribute to the community at our parishes and dioceses to the max!
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