Posted on 07/11/2010 12:27:16 PM PDT by Lloyd Marcus
Easter Pansy
, my wife's 97 year old grandmother lives in a nursing home. She lived on her own up until a year ago. Mary and I attribute Easter Pansy's unique youthful energy to having to care for her live-in Down syndrome son, Davey, for the past 50 years.Davey became ill and was placed in a nursing home. Without the daily responsibilities of caring for Davey, Easter Pansy's age caught up to her and she too was placed in a nursing home.
My wife Mary was raised by her dad and stepmother whom she considers her mom. Mary's birth mother, Easter Pansy's daughter, has refused to meet me because I am black. She and Mary's dad divorced when Mary was a toddler.
Over the years, Mary's birth mother has maintained a minimal relationship with her; an occasional phone call, birthday and Christmas cards. When she heard through the family grapevine that her daughter had married a black man, she said she would never meet or acknowledge me. Mary and I have been married thirty years.
A few years ago, Mary and I flew up to Baltimore from Florida to visit family. Mary wanted to visit her 93 year old grandmother Easter Pansy who at that time was still living alone and caring for her son Davey.
I thought, “This woman is from a era when interracial dating was considered shocking and shameful”. Despite Mary's disagreement, I told her I would drop her off at her grandmother's house and to phone me when she was ready to leave.
Mary said Easter Pansy asked, “Where is your husband?” “He dropped me off”, she replied. Mary said Easter Pansy ran outside to the curb to catch me. Easter Pansy told Mary, “You tell that young man he is always welcome in my home and I love him”.
An elderly white woman whom I never met said she loved me. I learned that you can not make assumptions about a person's feelings regarding race by where they are from or when they were born.
When I finally met Easter Pansy, she gave me a great big hug. She was a radiant, strong and independent woman of character; an awesome human being.
http://www.LloydMarcus.com Spokesperson/Entertainer of Tea Party Movement & Tea Party Express.
The American Tea Party Anthem cd/album.
Confessions of a Black Conservative, foreword by Michelle Malkin.
President, NAACPC (National Association for the Advancement of Conservative People of ALL Colors)
Join Lloyd Marcus Facebook Page
Shabaz would have clubbed her like a baby seal.
Great post. After all of those years because of the way she raised and finally there is the light and redemption.
My brother had an interracial marriage. My grandmother was relieved that he was marrying another Catholic! You can’t predict those older folks: they’re tougher and more resiliant than we expect them to be.
Unless you are the Obama administration, and they are discussing how Arizona's LEOs will implement the new law....This was a wonderful story, and succinctly shows the flaw in bias and bigotry. If only those idiots in DC would do the same.
I think the whole idea of racism flounders in an intelligent person’s head. I mean intellectually, the idea is preposterous. There are really stupid PEOPLE in the world, as well as lazy, ignorant, mean spirited, shiftless, hardworking, smart, humane and generous people. That any of those characteristics belong to a particular race over another is utterly without foundation. We, human beings, are ALL those things.
You are always welcome at our house, Lloyd!
What a wonderful story! Easter Pansy sounds like a remarkable woman, though she’d probably shrug that off!
When I finally met Easter Pansy, she gave me a great big hug. She was a radiant, strong and independent woman of character; an awesome human being.
Sounds to me as if this elderly lady is a Christian and understands that all of us, regardless of color, trace our roots back to one common great, great grandfather so 60 times removed, a fine gentlemen by the name of Noah.
Sweet story. Never give in to despair. There is REAL hope in love. Real love. Not watered down fake love.
okay, i just adore this woman for her name. Easter Pansy is just a wonderful name. only the most extraordinary person could have a name like that.
I love her name too. Sounds like a special flower growing in God’s garden!
I second that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.