peace

there was a story on the news last night about members of a mostly black congregation who decided to attend a mostly white church the sunday before martin luther king jr.'s birthday. a sign of peace, goodwill, and perhaps a chance to create some discomfort. in the middle of the story my husband turned to me and said "i did that once."

did what?

"went to an all black church with my buddies. someplace in georgia."
when? why?
"we were on our way to daytonna beach for spring break. it was easter. thought we better go to church."
what happened?
"we sat in the back. the pastor saw us and said 'i see we have some visitors this morning'."
then what?
"nothing. nice service. got back in the car and headed for the beach."

mike grew up in a story book on the breathtaking shores of lake superior on the upper peninsula, michigan. when he was quite small he and his family lived in a hotel called the bellvue that his parents owend and operated. on saturdays, when the milk truck stopped at the hotel, mike would hop on and ride the whole route with the milkman. to unwind, he'd stop at the drugstore across the street and would order up some white toast and water for a nickel. "nick, you make the best toast in town." he had a little hounddog named pebbles who would wait outside his school to walk him home at lunchtime. he grew into a star athlete in basketball and football. never has there been a kinder heart.

the trip to daytonna almost didn't happen, even though mike's dad had shined up the brand new buick for the boys. but, as often happens in march on the u.p., the snow piled up faster than it came down. mother martha would have nothing of that disappointment. "follow me up to the highway in the fiat - that car can make it through anything". she pulled on her boots and lit up a smoke and off she plowed -- across the yard, up the hill and out to the highway, with mike and the boys packed in the buick, and off they went.

they knew that easter would fall over the weekend, and packed accordingly - shorts, swim trunks, tee shirts, for the beach. nice pants/dress shirts/ties for church. church. not to make a statement or speak up for peace or to force others to explore their comfort zones, just because it was easter. and it was the proper thing to do. i love you, mike!