I feel grateful to live in a world of diversity. Saidi invited me to Kampala (Uganda) many years back, and although it was not a time I could travel, I started to investigate. I looked at pictures of the city, the airport, the people. It would be a beautiful place to visit one day… and I would definitely stand out! I am very white. The people of Kampala are not.
What was exceptionally striking in the photos was the airport. Because of Nyasha and Shante’s travels, I have been blessed with a lot of time at the Seattle hub. People arrive and depart from all over the world, and diversity in skin color and language are obvious. Most of the times at the airport, the medley of people has not declared a majority. But the photos of the Ugandan airport showed a sea of similarity. Because I have only known International Airports, I noticed!
The Pacific Northwest is blessed. We enjoy diversity every day. It could simply be the foods we choose, with restaurants in a wide variety of cultural spins and choices (like vegan), or schools and colleges that are taught in languages other than English. The area has spaces of acceptance for a wide range of individuality, whether a person was born to or later chose their approach to the world.
The spiritual and religious variety is vast. With such a creative Source, the demand to reach every individual internally requires options. We have a wide variety of churches and groups for Divine inspiration. Since many people find their connection in nature, experiencing the depth of God outdoors, our region is perfect. We have it all, mountains to hike, waves to surf, snow to ski.
I appreciate this life, this region, and the move toward expansive acceptance. I know that we can continue to grow (and that we still need to), and that thought delights me as well. Thank you to all those who have come before us, who have led the way, fought for the rights and diversity that we live. I am blessed by your work. We all are!
micheleplumbstowell.org 