I read a beautiful story about NBA star Dwyane Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, and one of their 4 children. 

Zion Wade, their 12-year-old child, was verbally attacked by online trolls for wearing feminine clothing.  A 12-Year-Old Child! What is wrong with people.  How about more love and less hate?  How about more compassion and less judgment?  How about – and especially if you’re an adult – not attacking a child!

This is the beautiful part.  Dwyane Wade said, “I’ve watched my son, from Day 1, become into who she now eventually has come into,” 

“For me, it’s all about, nothing changes with my love.”

That is what you do as a parent, that is unconditional love.  You support your child while they try to figure themselves out, you don’t tear them down. 

Wade, like most parents, had expectations for his child that did not happen, life is messy and it rarely happens the way we envision it.  Instead of trying to deny it, or getting angry and try to force his child to be someone they aren’t, with the help of his wife, he acknowledged how much he does not know.  He opened his mind and his heart and tried to educate himself to help his child be the best person she could be.  WOW.  I love you Dwyane and Gabrielle, you are wise souls.  You bring love, compassion, and reason into this world. 

Gabrielle Union’s response to the trolls attacking Zion’s looks and support from his family was, “Looks like love to me.”

My mama bear instinct would be to attack back at the trolls but Dwyane and Gabrielle have handled the harassment with dignity and grace.  As Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, you go high.”  That’s what they did and they inspire me and remind me, to not respond in kind but to respond from a place of love and compassion. 

To all the trolls out there, I hope you find this kind of unconditional love and support. That’s what will make our world a better place.

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