This ritual was started by the prior garbage man earlier this summer. James our just-over-one-year-old neighbor could be found every Wednesday morning around 9:00 sitting in his mom's lap on their front steps awaiting the garbage truck. As it appeared around the corner, James would start pointing and the driver would honk. A little wave was incorporated with the pointing as the driver would honk again and wave back at James.
Weeks passed as I watched the waves grow as James' grew.
Then suddenly this man who happened to be white was replaced by another man who happened to be black
Would the honks continue?
They not only continued, they increased.
Then James began part-time daycare.
For several Wednesdays the 9:00 honk came but James wasn't to be found. One day I even went out and waved. The garbageman waved back. The next week I went out to explain James' absence in case he didn't know but also to thank this dear man for his gesture of friendliness.
Now the garbageman arrives nearer 8:30. I don't know if this is purposely so James can wave but what I do know is my day is brightened by the little blonde mop happily waving and pointing at the man who drives the big, noisy truck
This young child like most children his age is colorblind to black and white. He hasn't yet learned that facial expressions, hands and honks often in today's world convey hostility.
I have hope for our world because of people like the two garbage men, James and his mom and I want to believe humankind like James' is growing, growing in such a way that facial expressions, a wave and a honk increasingly become gestures crossing divides, making the world a better place.
Imagine the Shift!
-Dawn, The Good News Muse 17 October 2012
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