An Easter inspiration

People sacrifice things for many causes, and some ultimately make the supreme sacrifice. In recognition of this day in particular, the threshold for sacrifice was established and in all of Christendom is revered.

One among us made a sacrifice of another kind recently. By penning a column for this newspaper, Kathleen Peterson knowingly and willingly forfeited her privacy - a right "to which I cling tenaciously," she wrote. But she gave it up because she believed the issue she was writing about - being raped by her father when she was 8, dealing with the consequences for a lifetime and reaching out to help other victims of rape, incest and abuse - trumped her prized privacy. She was motivated by the desire to make the world a little better for others, even at some significant sacrifice to herself.

It doesn't matter if you agree with Kathleen's position on the state legislation she was opposing. At least, it shouldn't matter. Kathleen Peterson represented the best in humankind by exhibiting the kind of courage and passionate yet respectful discourse that seem to be in decline from sea to shining sea.

Nor should it matter that Kathleen isn't a radical, in-your-face feminist motivated by hatred of the male gender. She is a minister's wife, a mother, a grandmother and an accomplished artist, professional designer and respected teacher. Most of all, she is compassionate. And through her example, we are reminded that compassionate people aren't weak. In fact, they're the very strongest of all.

We commend the poignant, powerful piece to those who may have missed it - particularly any men who might benefit from a more clear, respectful perspective of women. You can find it on cdapress.com by going to http://www.cdapress.com/columns/my_turn/article_6786e929-cf11-556c-97ce-bf634f2a63f1.html

Have a happy Easter, everyone. May Kathleen's courage inspire a stronger sense of renewal among us all.