31 Stories of December. Story Twenty-seven Bridging boundaries and embracing difference define who I am. Although my identity is shaped by that which I cannot control (race, gender) and things I chose to embrace (faith, vocation), no one aspect of who I am overrides the others. Growing up at the tail end of the Baby Boom in a career military family, I enthusiastically took on and still retain multiple identities that have shaped me during my formative years. I learned to make connections and navigate the multiple boundaries of race, gender, class, and ethnicity. In the process I’ve had many of my assumptions about people blown to pieces as I learned to accept people as they are. Studying language and living overseas in different cultural settings further opened my eyes to the beauty and vitality of other cultures.In a world that is increasingly divided and suspicious of difference, I want to keep on reaching out to others by building bridges and embracing difference. In the face of fear and distrust of the “other”, I strive to embrace an hopeful vision of inclusion that affirms our common humanity. Subscribe Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Email Address Sign Up We respect your privacy. Thank you!