Matthew Shepard died twenty years ago this month, October 12th, 1998. He was abducted, tied to a fence post, severely beaten and left to die. He hung there for almost eighteen hours before someone noticed. He was in the hospital for four days before he died. His offense to those who took his life: he was gay.
Twenty years have passed since his incredibly sad and horrific death. His parents, Judy and Dennis, started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor his life and his passion for caring. The foundation has evolved over the years, but always with this core mission: to erase hate and to replace it with understanding, compassion and acceptance.
How could such a tragedy inspire this incredible work? How is it that Judy and Dennis were not dropped to their knees never to rise up again? Where did they find the strength and courage to move forward? How were they not completely undone?
I believe they found their strength and their direction from deep inside. Somehow they came to know they were born to serve humanity in this particular way, to help all of us erase hate from our lives. They seem to vibrate with that mission. It is almost as if they can’t help it…they must continue.
Each of us has a unique calling to serve humanity. It might be revealed out of tragedy or it might become known from an open heart. Make no mistake, you are here, on this earth right now, to offer the gift that is uniquely you. Not for your own exclusive benefit, but for the benefit of humanity.
Believe it. Own it. Hold nothing back. Live it out loud.
Always love.
Paula
