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Friday, December 6, 2013

Fortuity



My memory is a bit fuzzy on the exact details, but I think my mom and I were at the grocery store in the checkout line. I was around seven years old and as I helped her load the items from our cart onto the belt, I had noticed that there were people with skin much darker than mine a few rows over. And, as kids are disposed to do, I likely stared with curiosity.

Later, maybe that night, a few nights or perhaps even a week or more later, my mom called me into her room. I plopped on her bed; ready for slumber myself in my nightgown and housecoat, as she sat down beside me. Here is where my memory comes into perfect focus.  In rather clear and simple words she told me that every person was the same no matter the colour of their skin, hair or eyes or anything else about them. I acknowledged her with an 'okay Mom' and went on my merry way but that brief conversation was the first of many items on my 'advice from mom' list that I kept tucked in the breast pocket of my coat of life, ready to be called upon at a moment’s notice should ever the need arise.

I realize that life could have gone the other way, she could have told me something completely different and I may have kept that advice in my back pocket just as easily. I hope not, I'd like to give myself a little more credit than that, yet I realize for some that this is exactly how differences are learned. It is in the midst of my past fortuity that I'm extremely grateful for the lesson she taught me and ever so more indebted to Mr. Mandela for the lessons in courage, perseverance and love that he taught the world. 

May his weary heart rest peacefully.


Sharing with:
Friday Finds
The Weekend in Black and White
Photo Art Friday ~ Favourite Photo Friday
Friday Photo Journal

20 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Beautifully said Andrea. Hug B

Pieni Lintu said...

Beautiful shot!

Lynne said...

Beautifully said . . . no doubt from me, you live this truth.

I like your mom . . .

and Nelson Mandela . . . well . . . unlike no other . . .

Love your photo too . . .

and . . . I like you . . . Beautiful Andrea . . .

Michelle B said...

Lovely post. Your photo is beautiful.

Kim Klassen said...

beautiful photo... beautiful quote...and your words ... oh my.

thank you.

xo

Jaz said...

I share the sadness...nice BW symbol..

Michelle said...

Such a well written post. May he rest in peace.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

What a perfect marriage of image and prose as a tribute to this amazing, self-sacrificing man. So please you linked this post to Photo Art Friday!

Unknown said...

Ohhhhh this is so beautiful. What a lovely tribute to Mr. Mandela. Visiting from kim klassen.

Unknown said...

Your mother is a wise woman and this was a lovely post.

HansHB said...

Great text and nice photo!

Maggie said...

Perfect.

betty-NZ said...

Among other things, he was a wise man. And your mom was a wise woman, too.

Andrea Dawn said...

Simple truth in black and white . . . a lovely and fitting tribute to a remarkable man.

Currie Silver said...

exquisite in its truth and simplicity. I am happily awed!!

Dragonstar said...

A fine post.

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

Such a beautiful post and equally beautiful photo. :)

Genny said...

He was truly a courageous man and gift to humanity. I just love your photo and post.

Genny said...

He was truly a courageous man and gift to humanity. I just love your photo and post.

Anonymous said...

Lovely image.