rumitoid

Back in 1976, my wife, daughter, and I lived in a borderline neighborhood in the Bronx; my daughter was six at the time. My wife and I made a decision to seek an apartment where we both grew up in this rather idyllic private housing project, owned by Met Life, called Parkchester: lots of green grass and trees, well maintained buildings and landscape, tons of children to play with, and Recreation Teachers that provided arts & crafts, pageants for holidays, and organized sports. We applied and got accepted.

Before moving, I took my daughter to see how she liked it. We walked around awhile and then went into what was called the "baby playground." Jenny asked to go and play on the Monkey Bars, I said "Of course, munchkin." Maybe twenty minutes later she came back and said she made a friend. I said that was great, which child. "The boy in the blue coat and pants"; there were five. "Can you point to him," I asked. "The one in the middle," she said; there were two that fit that description. Then she said he was on the top; the boy was the only black child.

That she did not even consider to point out that telling detail, choked me up. When we left the playground, she was a bit tired so I carried her. Heading for the car I asked her, "How do you like this place?" Apparently she took the question quite seriously. Almost squirming out of my arms left and right to look around, she then looked up at the sky a moment then into my eyes with a little smile on her face: "It's the same sun," she said. That really choked me up. What I got, and I may be wrong, was her why of saying, "As long as I am in your arms, daddy, it's all good."

A more basic and Godly sense of understanding in the little child. "Turn, and become as little children."

teabag09

Good one rumi. Mike

rumitoid

Yes, she is a good one. Thank you.

Lonewolf

Thanks for sharing that

rumitoid

Thank you for appreciating it.

bggamers Loc: georgia

ALL children start out as innocents but learn from the people in their surroundings doesn't always turn out well if parent arent paying attention your very lucky and so is she enjoy each other

rumitoid

Thank you. Any parent might say this, but Jennifer was so incredible, sweet and loving, smart and funny, generous and caring from the age of one. What I liked best about her for a bit was that she slept through the night after a month from birth: so very considerate it even so young.

bggamers Loc: georgia

DAMN your lucky

rumitoid

Tell me about it, lol.

teabag09

Unusual but very much appreciated. I think that portends exceptional things to come from that young lady. Of course, all the best for her and all of yours. Mike

Wonttakeitanymore

Am n rumi thanks for the life lesson from a little girl!

rumitoid

She graduated from Smith College, became an English teacher, and has two fine, wonderful, charming, smart children. (DNA does not always tell the whole story, lol.)

rumitoid

Amen!

DM

rumatoid: Made my day, Sir. If only the world would be this. Years ago also, my Sr. in High Shool
experienced a somewhat similar thing. Worked with a black young man and invited to a party.
He said "you haven't lived until you are the only "white goon ball" at a party of all b****s. All good guys
and accepted him as one of them. So sad this world can't get beyond the color barriers. Wonderful
story for me today. Thank you TREMENDOUSLY.