Today, completely unexpected, a childhood family friend sent me a note simply thanking me for accepting him, and his family, and being able to wear the ‘friend’ label with pride. I was, and am, touched.
You see, we were in a West Texas high school in the mid-70’s. Our parents were from the deep south. The country was still wrestling with racial tensions, the events at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, the tumultuous ending of the Vietnam war, and of the Nixon presidency. We were in sports and class together, he and his brothers along with mine. They came to my home, without any pretense, not demanding respect but as guys, who made it natural to be accepted and respected, just because how they treated us.
You see, it isn’t about demanding or expecting to be respected. It’s about acceptance and recognizing each of us have something to contribute. As I labored one summer on a farm chopping weeds in cotton fields, my Grandfather counselled me..”a wise man learns something from everyone.” I was the only one on the crew who spoke English. I learned a lot, and never said a word. Our respective parents taught us to watch and listen, not yell. They taught it’s not what you are, but who you are. They showed us how to welcome, accept, and befriend anyone; until they proved your friendship not warranted.
You see, it’s never mattered that Big T is a proud, gentle giant of color. I’m proud to call him and his family long time, enduring friends; not because I have to to be politically correct, but because I want to. Our paths haven’t crossed for years but the lessons our parents taught us and how we engaged each other, as kids, has been a lifelong lesson in acceptance and respect; and how to reciprocate…..
Never Fear the Dream….
SimpleBender.....wcb 