Lesson In Innocence

Another day, another excursion.
On this particular day, we went to Longwood Gardens.
I brought my daughter and her three children.
It was a gorgeous fall day, perfect for walking around the Gardens.

Since I am a member of the Gardens, I can bring someone with me each time I visit.
My grandchildren are admitted for free, since they are young.
I knew we would be doing a lot of walking, but at a much slower pace.
With my grandson in a stroller, the rest of us walked around in wonder.

I never get tired of coming to the Gardens.
It is different and more lovely each season.
Fall and winter are my favorite times to visit.
The Gardens at Christmas is a sight to behold; with a half a million lights to view.

We walked first to the castle, which is really the chimes tower, with bells that ring.
According to my granddaughter, it looks like Rapunzel’s tower, with ivy growing up the side.
We entered from the upper level path, since we couldn’t use steps with a stroller.
My granddaughters and I walked down the spiral staircase, imagining all the way.

They laughed when they saw their mommy outside when we got to the bottom.
It was all part of the mystery, the magic of the experience.
The waterfalls and fountains were enchanting.
The fountains put on a show, as the water danced to the music.

We saw so many children at the Gardens that day.
My daughter and I assumed they were on a field trip or part of a home school co-op.
When it was time for lunch, we grabbed a table in the cafeteria that has glass all around.
Within minutes, the tables began to fill up with people.

A woman and three little girls sat at the table next to us.
My daughter took my oldest granddaughter to the bathroom.
I was at the table with my other granddaughter and grandson.
My granddaughter was infatuated with the little girls at the table next to us.

Turn around, sweetheart, so your can eat your yogurt, I told her.
She turned around for a minute and then turned back to look at the little girls.
The woman, who was sitting with the little girls, had long braids that were bright red.
The little girls were talking and giggling while they ate their lunch.

My granddaughter was still looking over at the table, with a sweet smile on her face.
My daughter came back to the table with my oldest granddaughter.
That granddaughter started to look at the other table as well.
Finally, she spoke the words she had been thinking.

Mommy, that little girl’s hair is so pretty with all the braids and the beads.
Yes it is, my daughter said.
At this point the adult woman, who was the teacher or aide, spoke up.
Your little girl is so adorable! I love the color of her hair.

She was talking about my two-year-old granddaughter.
She was the who was looking at them instead of eating her yogurt.
She looks so innocent, the woman went on, and has such a cute smile.
Well, my daughter is admiring her beautiful braids and pretty beads.

I want to tell her my name, Mommy, my oldest granddaughter said.
Of course, you can tell her your name; maybe she will tell you her name, my daughter said.
The little girl with the braids and beads came over to my granddaughter.
Names were exchanged as the little girl told us she did her hair all by herself.

The little girl was seven, which was three years older than my granddaughter.
The woman was trying to gather the girls to go back out to the Gardens.
They all took their trash to the receptacle.
The little girl with the braids and the beads hugged each of us and kissed our cheek.

Before they left, I said to the woman, Why can’t we all be like that to each other?
She smiled knowingly, because we had different color skin.
It was not the “difference” my granddaughter noticed but rather the beauty.
Mommy, that little girl’s hair is so pretty with all the braids and the beads.

Beauty was seen.
Hugs were given along with a kiss on the cheek.
Total strangers, yet so much alike.
We all came to experience the beauty of the Gardens but we left with so much more.

Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another? (Malachi 2:10)

For a few minutes, kindness and appreciation of beauty was on display.
That whole scenario could have gone much differently.
What are you staring at? could have been said.
The looks and the interest could have been misinterpreted.

It was merely one little girl admiring something beautiful in the other.
I want to do that more in my own life.
I want to acknowledge beauty wherever I find it.
And a little child will lead them…

2 responses to “Lesson In Innocence”

1. So true! Children do not have prejudice or uneasy feelings about others who are different…it is adults who teach them. I always remember the song from the musical “South Pacific”–called “You’ve Got to be Taught”. How sad that things are not changed enough since that was written.

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   • So true, Sue.
     If prejudice can be taught, then being kind and seeking beauty can be taught as well. May we be intentional to do just that.
     Gina

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