Just yesterday my sister was substitute teaching a class of 6 year olds. One little girl, whom a boy wouldn't sit beside after being told to several times, piped and said to my sister that he didn't want to sit beside her( the little girl) because she is black. Of course, he is white.

Bless my sister, she took that as a "teaching moment" and talked to the whole class about us all being the same on the inside, no matter the colour outside. Then she taught them a song (music reigns!) about how special they each and every one are. It almost broke her heart that a little boy, whom she really enjoys, also African American, barely sang, casting his eyes down in a manner reminiscent of the old days of "Massa".

She was so sad and appalled that at that young age they already had the experience to bring those attitudes out. We discussed the home life which must have contributed to this being the case.

And, I wonder, sometimes, what my mixed grandsons will have to face. I know their parents will probably never live close to where i am because they won't want to leave the part of New England they are in because there is a diverse population which makes them more comfortable. Right now, in their four-plex, there are a Cuban family, an Africa American family, a Puerta Rican family, and them, a blonde mostly Scottish/Irish/English and an Antiguan with their beautiful, beautiful baby boys (okay, I might be biased, but they ARE beautiful! Everybody says so! And, any of you who go to Mystic Seaport in June may get to confirm this. I've told Kyrsten they have to go & watch for Mudcat T-shirted people. Maybe I'll send them some that say "We're Katlaughing's family she always brags about! Or the babies could say, "Our grammy's a Kat & she laughs!")

For what she went through to have them (19 weeks of bedrest), I have to trust the Great Spirit and know there was a good reason for those two souls to have joined us and entrust them to the care and protection of the God/dess of my heart.

Thanks for listening,

U-Kno