Grown men can learn from very little children, for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss…Black Elk
Every time someone comes to the front door, whether it be the doorbell, or keys jingling in the lock, or simply the sound of it opening…both boys go running wildly toward it, screaming “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! Whatcha got? Whatcha got, Daddy?!” (he always brings them a treat after work)
Today, that doorbell rang and the action began. I knew it wasn’t Daddy since it was only eleven in the morning but, being one and three, they always think it’s Daddy. As I opened the door, both boys trying to squeeze past me, I saw the UPS guy walking away and then noticed the package he had just set on our porch (the UPS guy was short, he was white, and he was heavy-set). I had been waiting on the delivery for a few days now…Roots, The Thirtieth Year Anniversary Edition. We are beginning the series with our older three kids and, even though my heart aches through almost the entire presentation, I am looking forward to seeing it with them.
D’Lo started bombarding me with questions immediately (the way only a three year old can)…”What’s that?”
“A movie.” I replied
“What movie?” he asked
“Roots.” I answered
“Where did you get it?” (even though he’d just seen it delivered)
“I ordered it.” I say
“But, but, where did you get it?” he asks again insistently
“I bought it, Baby.” I try to answer again
(He pauses)
“But did you bought it from that man?”
THAT MAN…Not that short man, not that fat man, not that WHITE man, just that…MAN.
Now, I know that my son could see the physicalities of this man…but those things aren’t his focus. D’Lo sees the physical differences in people everyday, so much in fact…that he doesn’t even see those differences at all. Amazing. I love you, D’Lo. Thank you for being my teacher today, and the world’s teacher tomorrow. I am so proud of you…
