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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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Yesterday, my son and I were at a local amusement arcade. I just couldn't handle one of those motion theater rides that shake you around so much, even though most young folks there were mesmerized by it. But I had to pay for 2 seats even if nobody occupied the second. I looked around the building to find a kid to ride with my son. There were lots of beautiful children. But the expression on a charming little boy who appeared to be of Jamaican origin was especially enchanting. He had a head of dreadies down over his shoulders that would make Bob Marley jealous. His father was with him, wearing one of those knit caps to hold his own head of dread. I smiled at the father, looked at his boy, and motioned to the empty seat on the ride. I received a huge smile in return, plus a fine companion to accompany my son on the ride. Something about that made me feel good.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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Yes, Macky, it would make me feel good too - and I think there are less traces of colour prejudice here than in (parts of) the USA. But I think (and hope) you would have felt as good if it had been little lord Fauntleroy who you gave a free ride to.
I suspect that many people who would say they have no colour prejudice, like me (who can no longer show it by taking them to bed regardless of colour as I used to do) have too little contact with black people simply because we don't get a chance to meet many of them. And I suspect myself of doing worse than show prejudice if I go too far out of my way to be nice - I might seem patronising, for example.
Am I making too much of a meal out of this, do you think?
Love,
Anthony
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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A great gesture that gained a friend, if only for a short while, and yet cost nothing. A random act of kindness.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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ray2x
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: April 2009
Messages: 430
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The strength of a smile from a child. A day or two ago, while at my favorite beach, a young boy was hunting for sand crabs which are easily found. He caught one and ran to me with a grin and told me how he caught the crab and I asked to see the crab. He held it out and there was the smile. His brother came by and he wanted to see the crab too. The brother gave me a smile too as we all looked at the prized sand crab. I motioned to the boy to show it to my daughter who was cautious about what she was seeing. I knelt down and pointed to the moving crab which obviously caught her eye. She kept her distance but was smiling wanly. The boys seemed totally enthralled at the crab and I thanked them for showing it to me and my daughter. I almost didn't notice how cute the boys were but just enjoyed the comraderie of a simple moment and their smiles. Thank you Macky for the reminder of a moment's kindness.
Raymundo
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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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Ya know Timmy,
The most wonderful act of kindness was on the part of the father of the boy, who accepted and trusted my gesture, and allowed me and my son a moment with his great little guy.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Random acts of kindness are highly contagious.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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Yes Anthony, It is certainly not pleasant to be patronized. I guess that they could have taken my gesture as patronizing, but they took it exactly as it was intended. Just a chance to enjoy and appreciate each other. That was what was so nice about it. It was devoid of suspicion and mistrust that one encounters so often, when it comes to kids.
The place was full of little lords Fauntleroy.
I just feared that their moms would karate chop me if I smiled at them and gestured for their sons to ride. I know that's wrong, but my culture has conditioned me to feel foreigners are more at ease with that sort of thing.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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Kids can be delighted by the most common things. Your tale reminded me of a humorous incident. A brother-in-law and I were being bad drinking too much beer. We stacked the cans on the kitchen table making high towers. My little niece toddled out and stared up at the towers with wonder in her eyes, with just barely whispered "Gees" and "Wows". Its so easy to be a big hero to a little kid.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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ray2x
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: April 2009
Messages: 430
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It is also striking how simple and uncomplicated a random act of kindness can be. At my local library, a little boy just asked me to draw a rainbow on his paper. I did and suddenly I was his best buddy.
Raymundo
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