But the color...the green on the leaves...there are actually many colors...many different shades that make up this tree that I love so much. From the deepest shades to those that are almost neon...to simply say that leaves are “green” is simply not the truth. With my naked eye I can see at least 9 different shades of green that make up the leaves of the same tree, and I imagine that, if given a microscope, I would see several more shades of green if I could just look closer. See more.
I see color. Colors. The shades of green that make up the leaves on the tree...the deep maroon that gradually fades to the palest pink on the petals of flowers...the streaks of brown that make up the grains on the wooden boards of our deck, the fence, and the pieces of my daughter’s playset. Our world is filled with color, and I am so grateful that I am able to see these amazing tones that God put into our world.
The same God that put an infinite number of shades into the leaves on my tree put an infinite number of shades into the skin of the people that make up this world. The tree in my yard needs all of the greens to make the tree what it is meant to be. Our society needs all of its amazing skin tones to us what we are meant to be.
Sitting here lost in my thoughts I noticed something that has previously escaped me.
When the wind blows, the tree sways and moves with each gust. The leaves on the outer branches feel the force of the wind and move the most. Leaves closer to the trunk of the tree move a little less, but still they move. Some leaves face and confront the wind whether they choose to or not. The wind pushes these leaves simply because of where they grow on the tree. But some leaves...some leaves never feel the wind. They are sheltered and protected by other leaves. They aren’t smaller or shaped differently or part of a different tree...but they don’t feel the wind because other leaves are blocking the path.
For most of my life, I have been like the sheltered leaves. The winds of hatred and racism push and pull around me, but I have been sheltered. I have been spared from the force of the wind. The color of my skin prevents me from bearing the brunt of the hatred that flies so freely for others whose skin color is a shade darker than mine. I can not imagine the walk you walk, and I will not pretend to know what that feels like. But I have a mouth that speaks and legs that walk and hands that hold. I have a mind that knows that I don’t know and the willingness to educate myself and those around me. So that is where I start. I will educate myself and those around me and pledge to do better. To be better.
A wonderful Yogi I am blessed to know ends her yoga session with, “The love and light in me recognizes and sees the amazing love and light in each of you.” I hope she won't mind if I make a slight revision.
To my friends of color: The love and light in me recognizes and sees the amazing love and light and color in each of you. I see you. I hear you. Tell me how to do better. How to be better. How to raise my daughter to be stronger and braver than her mom.
