#LifeTurningMoment

My soul is only now -- at the age of 54 -- getting over the puritanical hate in people, especially those I knew in childhood.

About 20 years ago, at a multi-generational party in Martinsville, I was talking to a very well-dressed, frail old woman, with perfectly styled white hair, when she became physically distraught about the horrible state our country was in.

She made it clear (though in her defense, subtly) that she did not approve of “this mixing of the races.” I'd had a couple drinks and responded, "I think it's great. Everybody seeing past prejudices, people of all colors and likenesses holding hands.” On second thought, I added, “Especially after the horrors of slavery."

Well, for a moment, I literally thought she was going to faint.

Her granddaughter saw her distress and walked her away.

It was a life-turning moment for me.