Just a cute story that I thought that I'd share with the family. For any non-family members, here's the preamble to the story. 'Cee' is my oldest son. He is seven years old and is adopted. He is bi-racial with light brown skin, dark hair and brown eyes. 'Jay' is my youngest. He is six years old and is about 11 months younger than his older brother. He is my biological son and is fair skinned, with light brown/sandy blond hair and blue eyes.
Last night, I took the boys to the Winchester Youth Football game at Woburn High. It was a fun night - tons of people, U-Mass marching band, N.E. Patriots cheerleaders, etc. Anyway, 'Cee' & 'Jay' met up with a very nice boy from Cee's pop warner football team. So, the three sat down and started talking. Having never met Cee's younger brother the boy asked, "Who is he?"
To which 'Jay' quickly interrupted, "I'm his brother (pointing to 'Cee'). He's my older brother, 'Cee'."
Dumbfounded, the boy turned to 'Cee' and said, "He doesn't look like your brother!"
Jay again excitedly interrupted, "He's...he's...he's adopted...and he's adopted and I'm his brother, 'Jay'."
'Cee' interjected, "Yeah, didn't you know?" (I suspect 'Cee' has just started to explain this to curious classmates)
The boy took a moment to figure out this apparent new development.
He turned to 'Jay', pointed and said, "Ohhhh, I get it. You're adopted. You're 'Cee's adopted brother."
Laughing, 'Cee' tried to put an end to this growing confusion. "No, No, No...can't you tell. I'M adopted. See, my daddy and brother look alike."
The boy looked at 'Cee' and said with the utmost sincerity, "Really, I think that you look like your dad." (motioning to me; Note: I'm also fair skinned with light hair and blue eyes)
'Cee' smiled and proceeded to straighten things out. However, the topic soon moved to something else.
I thought it was one of the sweetest, most innocent moments that I've ever witnessed, firsthand. This boy had never noticed that 'Cee's' skin color was different than mine (or I'm assuming his own) and he's seen us together many times. He seemed shocked, as it had obviously just never occurred to him.
My description will never do this story justice but it's one that I'll never forget.
2 comments:
I am touched by the content of this interchange between youngins. The innocence is sooo sweet.
It makes me reflect back on a story that my mother has shared about Brother.
If you recall Brother, when you were a youngin one of your best friends had a skin color different than yours. I won't be able to do justice in recapturing the innocence of mom's memory of an experience that you were involved in. She tells of a time when you ran to her, quite perplexed, inquiring (in a very animated way)why your friends back was black (after he has taken off his jersey in response becoming "swetty" on a hot summer's day)??? Although quite surprised by your "new" observation of your friends black back, she gently asked you if you had previously noticed that his face and arms/hands were also black. To which you responded, no they aren't!
It's interesting that kids see only what is important to them in any given moment (sharing joyous moments with others wanting to do the same). Including their awareness of other people's skin color. If us "grown ups" could do the same, many of the world's issues would be resolved!
I can just picture this interaction & I was dying laughing when I read the story. What about the time when A was little and said, "Mom, since you have white skin, and my father has black skin... does that mean I am Puerto Rican? If only Cee were around he could have cleared things up for her.
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