HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!! My first experience of pure love

During my childhood my "household" family wasn't where I learned about love. I first learned about love from my Paternal grandmother and we lived far from her. But when I did get time with her she showed love like no other relative I have. She laid the foundation but others built my heart. 

I learned about love from my friends and their families. The first family that taught me how a family should be came into my life around the age of 10. Deanna and her family moved in down the street and we rode the bus together. She was a grade lower than me at school but since we lived so close and we were just so awesome together we became inseparable. I called her parents Mom and Dad. We stayed the night together almost every weekend. We are still best friends to this day.... almost 30 years later.

 One situation stands out in my mind. Let me set the story a bit. In my house the n-word was thrown around like it was a very common word. A huge Confederate flag flew above my house....my new best friends dad is black. I'm 10 and he's truly the first black man I've ever really had a conversation with. One day I say the n-word near him. He turns to me and I see the hurt in his eyes. I start to freak out inside thinking for sure that I'll never be allowed back to their home. That my bestest friend ever is gone...but here's how he handled the situation.

He called me over and we sat at the kitchen table. "I know your young and I've met your family. Your a beautiful, wonderful girl and I love you, but you just hurt me like nobody has ever hurt me. That word is just nasty. It's meant to hurt people and it does. It hurts really bad. You know how when your brothers call you names and make you cry? Well you just made me want to cry...and honestly your not suppose to make those you love cry right?" All this time I'm crying afraid that I was in trouble. Nodding my answers to the questions. "Stop crying you know I love you dearly and my life wouldn't be the same without you but please don't hurt me anymore." He asked me to look up the word to find it's true definition. He also asked that I think about my words before I say them. He hugged me and we never discussed it again...there was no need.. I never let that word leave me mouth ever again.

From my limited memories this one has stuck with me and I know why. That day Marcel changed me he made me a more loving person. He showed me how to love someone even though they hurt you. I learned that understanding where someone is coming from is important. That even though your hurt you don't have to hurt back...that responding with love instead of hate can be the most important thing. Now to remember that daily and put it to use....