Kaleidescope Family

My husband, Roger, may be an African American, but he is much more than that. As with all Americans, he is the product of many races and cultures coming together in the melting pot. His great grandfather was white and of English origin. His great, great grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. And that's just on his father's side. His mother's side includes anything from a former slave to an Irish Catholic immigrant. Those that are ignorant bemoan the 'browning' of America. But Roger and I choose to enjoy and celebrate our differences.

Children are smarter than the rest of us and haven't succumbed to the pressures of the world yet. They may notice our differences, but aren't concerned about them. It took until my neice was 3 years old to become aware that Uncle Roger looked a little different from her. Ultimately to her, he is just Uncle Roger, and she loves him. A couple of weeks ago, she sat down next to me and asked me a point blank question, "Is Uncle Roger brown?" I said, "Yes." She responded, "I'm not." I said, "I know," and she shrugged her shoulders and ran off to play. That's all she wanted to know.

Roger's younger sister got married about a month ago. She married a very nice man who loves her very much. Her new husband happens to be Hispanic. As I sat at the wedding reception, I smiled as I watched the guests of many races and skin tones interact. It was a beautiful day in my kaleidescope family.