REALLY????

ENRAGED!!!  That's how I felt as I was sitting behind the backstop at my son's baseball game today.  Denton Sliders vs Flower Mound Furry.  While I was enjoying the game, from behind the backstop and working the scoreboard, two boys ride up on their little bikes, I'm guessing around 9 years old.  They stopped, still sitting on their bikes, near me behind the backstop, and start talking about the game, the players, the plays and the rules.  Two boys, enjoying a beautiful sunny day at the ballpark, watching America's Favorite Pasttime.  Then, from the opponents bleachers I hear a man yelling at the kids, "Hey!  There are people behind you trying to watch the game!  MOVE!".  They turn to look at who he was referring to, as did I.  There sat two adult women on a  picnic table, about 20 feet back.  One woman mouthed to the man, "Thank You!".  REALLY?????
Did I mention that the man was WHITE (and I'm telling you, he couldn't have been any whiter) and the boys were HISPANIC?  Oh, well, that was the first thing I noticed as I could not FATHOM why anyone would need to be concerned about the view of somebody sitting an entire TWENTY (20) FEET back!  The boys quickly rode off.  I felt bad for them.  This quickly turned to RAGE!  I pondered whether to say something to the over dressed little (and I do mean little) man.  Then I wondered if they were black kids, would he do the same...probably.  Had they been white like me would he?  Or might he assume they were with me because I was white too!  I had engaged in a short conversation with them, so that could have been possible.  I doubt he would have dared to say anything if they had been white.  I'm not one to jump on the RACE bandwagon or throw out the RACE card, but my instincts were very strong on this. 
BUT, WHAT ABOUT ME?  Was I just as bad for not being quick to defend the two little boys?  Had it been my boy(s), you darn well know this mama grizzly would have roared!!!  I would have made the point that this was not HIS park, that sitting 20 feet back is too far to expect to have front row view, and that it is MY taxes that help to pay for things in this city, including it's parks....NOT HIS!  So, why didn't I do it for these kids?  I regret not doing so.  These boys weren't doing anything wrong, they were just living the American Dream, doing what good kids do:  Ride Bikes, Go to the Park, Watch Baseball!  They WEREN'T: riding their bikes recklessly, acting obnoxious, vandalazing, or doing drugs. 
The boys returned some time later, in their same spot.  I peered over at the man on the bleachers.  I was just waiting this time for him to open his mouth!  I was ready to pounce!  I knew what I wanted to say and I wanted to scold him as he had scolded those boys.  I wanted to show this little man just how little he was.  As I waited, I engaged in conversation with the boys again: "Do you boys play baseball?".  One responded, "No, but I want to." The other, "No, we didn't register in time.".  I told them they needed to be sure and get signed up next season so they could also be out on that field.  They continued to watch in admiration, continuing to discuss the plays as they happened, and then they rode off again.  No further incident from little man.
But tonight, I have a heavy heart.  I feel disgust in the arrogance and what I saw as racist actions of another.  And I'm disappointed in myself for not defending them upon recognition of such.  There are men and women risking and giving their lives for OUR rights.  Isn't the least I could have done was speak up for those boys rights to enjoy the rights that we were enjoying ourselves?  I'm dissappointed, I'm ashamed and mostly, I'm sorry!

Emotional Deposits

My 11 year old son, Bryce, is off to camp today with his 5th Grade Class.  We spent last night and this morning packing just the right things, and of course I snuck in some bottle waters, snacks, etc.

On the short 4 minute drive to school to drop him off with his suitcase/backpack/sleeping bag, Bryce asks me a question, "MOM, What's it like having a Kid???"  I kinda chuckled and told him it would take a long time to explain.  He replies, "No Mom, what's it like having a Kid, like right now?  Is it HARD?".  My immediate response was, "No Bryce, it's not Hard!  Not with you it's not!".  I proceeded to tell him that he was the "center of my Universe" and that my life is dedicated to making him a happy and successful person.  He thanked me for that.  I told him that while some parents might have children that give them trouble and it stresses them some, he makes it easy for me.  He is well behaved, sweet and loving, has a big heart, makes excellent grades and I'm just so darn proud of him.  He is a God-loving child and he shares that with others.  I love to hang out with him, talk with him....I can't wait for when he gets home for school or the next time I see him.   I ended it by telling him that I love him more than my own life, I would give my life for his, and that I know he loves me back.  And that is the greatest reward in life.  I also let him know that I know his Dad feels the same way.

By the short time we got to school, Bryce had a huge smile on his face.  We had to rush to get his suitcase out of the car as there was a line of cars behind us to drop off.  In our hurry, I forgot to hug him good-bye.  But then as I drove off, I realized our conversation was more HUG than I could ever give him.  He has a HUGE EMOTINAL DEPOSIT to his life account.  Tears came to my eyes as I was overwhelmed with love for Bryce.  I realized there aren't going to be many more opportunities for conversations like that as he gets older, more independent.  Joe reminded me this morning of how quickly he will grow up and how important those Emotional Deposits are.  I remember my friend, Linda McKissack, reminding me of the same type of thing one day, and I haven't forgotten it. 

There are so many kids that were dropped off today in a rush.  Did they head off to camp feeling an emotinal deposit like Bryce did?  Shouldn't they?  Isn't that what helps develop them?  Give them confidence?  My wish is for every child to know they are loved like Bryce does and for them to have a bank account filled with Emotional Deposits!!!