The little family stood out because of the mixed skin colors but mostly because all three children were so young — enough to keep both parents constantly dealing with one or another as they ate dinner at Chick-fil-A in Birmingham on a Saturday evening.
The parents were both white and appeared to be early to mid 30s. A boy who appeared Latino was about 4 years ago. A black boy and girl were both about 2 or 3, I’d guess.
The table was a constant buzz of talk — children asking questions and wanting help, parents correcting and guiding. But it was all orderly and the tone of voice was always loving and kind. One of the boys seemed fascinated by my MacBook and he had trouble understanding his mom’s explanation that it’s impolite to stare at strangers.
After they ate, they pulled out little books and read together. Each child had a different book. I couldn’t tell what the books were all about, but I saw the younger ones pointing to cows and dogs and pigs and correctly identifying each. Both parents worked with each child from time to time.
It was like controlled chaos, but full of love and happiness.
Tradeoffs about values leave me feeling like ‘double-minded man’
Love & Hope — Episode 10:
Do you know your heart’s desire? Or are you just chasing a mirage?
Few things scare humans like the prospect of living, dying alone
In a culture of cold, ‘no strings’ sex, only emotional intimacy fills needs
‘Citizen of the world’? Better to be sovereign than citizen of anywhere
When governments keep secrets, you’re probably being lied to
To stay sane during life’s battles, aliens need places of sanctuary
It took me years to feel the anger I’d repressed since childhood