If you are looking for a poignant, sad, but beautiful story that will remind you what is important in life, I strongly suggest reading "Against All Odds, a Beautiful Life" in the January 24th edition of the New York Times.
The article tells the story of Maurice Mannion-Vanover who died at age 20 on January 14th. So often when I read news stories of young men dying it is because of violence -- whether that violence is at home, in their neighborhoods, or in war.
Maurice's story, however, is a family story. When Maurice was a baby he was adopted by a gay couple. Eventually, they adopted another boy, also. Maurice was not expected to live more than 6 months after his birth, but he managed, despite many challenges, to live until he was 20.
What I love about this article is that it tells such a normal family story, filled with happiness and pain, struggle and joy, commitment and separation, sadness and love. The fact that the family at the center of this story is two gay men and their two African-American adopted sons doesn't really matter. They are a family that has endured illness, divorce, and death. Like any other American family they stood together at Maurice's funeral and grieved his untimely death. Because that's what families do.
In the midst of the sadness, can we celebrate how normal this non-traditional family is? Can we start to accept that a family is defined not by external appearances or sexuality but by love, commitment, faith, and a life shared together?
Oh yes! One other detail I love. They are members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Montclair, NJ. They had a parish home that accepted and embraced them. If anyone tells you that religion isn't a good thing or that the church judges instead of loves, tell them Maurice's story. Tell them about the Episcopal Church.
And when you tell the story, don't forget to mention Rocky. He's the horse! I'll stop typing so you can read the article.
This story will definitely preach!
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