Bedtime is approaching. We are knee-deep in lego play. I don’t fully follow the scenario we are acting. I quietly sort out people, we are on a search to assemble a Jack Sparrow like figurine.
Most of the heads are yellow or peach. One brown one stands out. “Sam, who does this one go to?”
He replies, “Oh, that’s Mace Windu. He has brown skin like me.”
After a pause he says “Mama, what does it feel like to have skin like yours?”
My mind goes to privilege and discrimination. Societal issues. So much that he might face. So much that I want to protect him from. So much that I seek wisdom in how to guide him so that he will be strong and compassionate.
He reaches over and feels my arm. “Hairy!” he says. He’s asking in a much more tactile way. Someday it will be different.
My husband has come downstairs part way through the conversation. He asks, “What does it feel like to have brown skin?”
Sam feels his own arm and says “Smooth. Soft. And I never get sun burn!”
Soon his playful, happy mood changes with the announcement of the bedtime hour. His actions and words are ones that typically would bring forth swift response. Loss of privilege. Straight to bed.
Tonight my husband kneels beside him. Gently. Kindly. “Can I hug you?”
Sam’s rigid body makes a decision and melts into his dad.
Transitions from fun are always hard for him. Leaving playing at a neighbors to go run some errands. Switching from running around with the dog to doing homework.
Tonight I ask him “What do you think we could do to help prepare you? When times like this come?”
Mercy calls. We all respond.
We come up with funny songs we could sing. Ways of announcing the change. Cries to God for help. He does a silly juggling act. We have declared bedtime with laughter.
Mercy so powerfully offered us thousands of years ago. Breaking through. Showing its power and place it our daily life.
Mercy reaching across time and space, answering a six year old’s emotions. Mercy teaching all of us.
I’m joining Lisa Jo’s Five Minute Friday community.
The plan is to write for five minutes, no major editing, on a word, a prompt that Lisa Jo provides. This week’s word is Mercy.
Read here to see all the places a word can lead.
Children have such a way of asking those deep questions, don’t they? Such a beautiful write today!
I clicked on your post because of your title. I have a couple little boys myself–a bit younger than yours–but we play legos so much every day, and like your little guy, mercy, mercy, and more mercy is what it takes for us to make it through a day successfully. First-time visitor from FMFs. Writing at jjaclynwrites.com.
Thank you so much for this insight into your family life. This whole post is filled with love and gentleness – and such poignancy from your boy asking those simple and huge questions. Thank you, I enjoyed sitting at your feet today and learning.