Beatrice Benesh writes:  “I am the grandmother in this family.  The photo was taken on a Disney Cruise to Alaska to celebrate the 45th anniversary of my husband and me.  My daughter, Val, is in the front on the right.  Her wife, Ninfa, is in front on the left holding one of their two children.  Next to Val and Ninfa are my son, Larry & his wife, Rebecca.  Next to Rebecca is our daughter, Carolyn, then our daughter, Meredith and Carolyn’s husband, Chris.  On the left next to Larry is my husband, Greg, and then me. At the end are four more grandchildren, Nora (Carolyn & Chris’s) then Archer (Larry & Rebecca’s).  On the right, Lia with the glasses is Val & Ninfa’s other daughter, and little Nate is next to dad, Chris.

“Twenty years ago when Val told me she was gay, it rocked my Catholic self a bit.  I told her it was fine and that we would always love her, and I felt that was true.  However, I didn’t realize what a special gift this would be to our whole family.  As I spent time in prayer and reflection I realized that I do indeed love her just the way she is, and I wouldn’t want her to change in any way.  I also felt that I heard God telling me that He puts people in my life and my job is to love them. I don’t have to completely understand things in this world, and because I don’t, I shouldn’t worry about judging.  This transformed our family.  Where all are welcomed, all are holy because acceptance allows love to flourish.  Nothing is more transformative than love.”