By now if you have read my blog for any period of time you have read the various posts about the client at my job who has had no problem sharing her racists views with me. Here are the links to the previous posts regarding some of the interactions I have had with her:
1) http://themanyshadesoflove.blogspot.com/2009/09/changing-mind-of-racist.html
2) http://themanyshadesoflove.blogspot.com/2009/11/seeing-beneath-skin.html
3) http://themanyshadesoflove.blogspot.com/2009/12/baby-steps.html
Well, after all of the talks, all of the patience, and all of the SHOCK, I received an amazing phone call from her the other day. She called to tell me that she "loves me" and that I make her day every time she sees me. I almost fell out of my chair! She also told me that she prays for my family on a daily basis and is so happy for me that I have such a wonderful family! I am going to be honest, at first it freaked me out a little bit. I thought, "How did we get to this point?" This is someone who hated black people just a few short months ago and now after our many, many talks and interactions, she is slowly moving towards love for everyone! Wow! That is pretty powerful! There were times when it was hard to stomach having conversation with her, and now it's all about positive thoughts, moving forward, and accepting everyone! Mind you, she isn't totally there yet. She still has not seen her son that is married to a black woman, and she has not seen her grandson in a very long time, but she IS praying that it works out. Before, she wanted nothing to do with them and now she is actually praying about it. Let me just say WOW again! I am going to be seeing her today so I will see if there has been even more progress since the last time. The lesson I have learned in all of this is, never give up on someone no matter how bad it seems, and never ever stop fighting for what you believe in. Minds really truly can be changed!
11 comments:
This is pretty amazing Amy. I've never witnessed something like this first hand, but if it pans out. . . WOW.
Amy,
That's wonderful news! The fact that she is opening up to a higher power about all of this is the most positive thing that could have happened. A true transformation cannot be done on our own. Thanks for sharing this great news!
-Heather
Jessica and Heather,
It is pretty amazing. She is 2 steps forward one step back but little by little she is getting there and that is what counts! Patience, determination and standing for what you believe in....keep on keepin' on!
Amy
Amy,
I just wanted to share my exciting news with you. I have recruited a friend of mine and her longterm boyfriend to pose for me for a photo shoot. I plan to do a photo essay on interracial couples for Loving Day. And the great part is, her boyfriend, who is from Swaziland, posted the Loving Day link on his facebook page and invited all of his friends who are in interracial relationships to be a part of my photo essay! So, I shouldn't have to do too much legwork finding more couples. They were both very enthusiastic about being a part of this, and neither one of them had known anything about Loving Day before I told Liz about it. Thanks so much for being the drop in the water to create the first "ripple." Look how far it goes! Have a great Wednesday, Amy.
-Heather
Heather! Wow!!! That is such great news and so exciting!!! You just don't know how good it makes me feel! I am thrilled to see you doing such great work with this new part of your life! It's really wonderful. =) If you want to use Jamie and I for your project just let me know. I would love to be a part of it! I really am happy for you...keep up the good work. I will write again on my blog soon...soooo much to write sooo little time! Amy =)
Wow, I think what you did was incredible to be pacient with a person who was clearly showing 0% torrarence of people "different" then her. To go from that to her getting in touch with her grandchild is amazing.
This is not specific to this post but I thought you might like Robert Kalman's portraits. I think they're really good and pertain to some of your topics. Love your blog by the way.
http://www.robertkalmanweb.com/gallery.html?gallery=Black%20%26%20White
HP,
Thank you for the kind comment. She hasn't gotten in touch with the son and grandson yet but she is praying that it happens. BIG change! She still has a LOT of work to do, but it's progress in the right direction. Patience is virtue! =) Thanks for always reading! Have a great weekend! Amy
Gent,
Just checked out the portraits and the web site you posted. Love, love, love! Thank you for sharing. I am going to email him and let him know how lovely his work is. =) The wedding story on the first page of the sample online book is about the parents of the author that I am just getting ready to read. My Mom sent me the book because she said it reminded her of my blog.
How did you find my blog? Thank you for reading! I have to catch up on my writing....not enough time in the day!
Thanks again for the link...have a fantastic weekend!
Amy
Her higher power should have been letting her know earlier that it isn't nice to hate! :)
Maddie,
I just don't understand where all that hate comes from. She still has such a long way to go in regards to letting go of all the hate but at least little by little she is getting there. People can change if they really want to but they have to put in the work to make the change. She has a lot of work to still do. We shall see. I just keep listening and talking to her to hopefully continue to help her change for the better. It's not easy!
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