About Me:

Aloha! I'm Wendy Kennar. I'm the mother of a seven-year-old son and a wife living in Los Angeles. I was a public school teacher for twelve years until a chronic medical condition made it necessary to leave my teaching career.

I've always been described as "quiet" - really, I'm just biting my tongue. I've got lots to say, and lots of thoughts to share, I just prefer to write them. That's the purpose of this blog. Each Wednesday, I post a personal essay offering my observations and thoughts.

A few fun facts about me: I've wanted to be a writer since second grade, when my teacher, Mrs. Jones, made me a "book" with a yellow construction paper cover. I have never learned to whistle, have always preferred sunflowers to roses, and have spent my life living within the same zip code.

Through the years, my writing has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, United Teacher, GreenPrints, L.A. Parent, DivineCaroline.com, RoleReboot.org, XOJane, and Brain, Child Magazine. Additionally, my personal essays have been included in several anthologies, including: The Barefoot Review, Beyond the Diaper Bag, Lessons From My Parents, Write for Light, Being a Grown-Up: A User's Manual for the Real World, Ka-Pow!, How Writing Can Get You Through Tough Times, Breath and Shadow, The Grey Wolfe Storybook, and Sisters Born, Sisters Found.
I am a regular contributor at MomsLA.com, and you can also find me at Goodreads.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Feel free to comment and share my blog with others!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Our Corner of the World


   One of the best things about my son’s preschool is the people.  He’s got three (yes, three!) great teachers who have been working together for quite some time.  They’ve developed a short-hand between them, and they all work to meet the needs of each student.  And, there’s the student population.  This past session, my son was never in a class with more than ten students.

   And let me be up-front and honest, I’m not color-blind.  I think I’m even more mindful of skin color because my son is mixed.  I am white, and his father is African-American.  I want my son to feel comfortable in his own skin, never singled out for being different or because his parents look different.  We’ve already heard comments - “He’s so light,”  “I thought he’d be darker.”  As long as my child is healthy and happy, his skin color is not a big concern to me.

   And thankfully, at his preschool, it’s not a concern there either.  He’s sitting in a little secure microcosm of the world.  One of his classmates recently returned from a family trip to India.  Another, left for the winter holidays early for their trip back home to Australia.  And still another missed the winter performance because of his family trip to Mexico.  One classmate is also mixed - with an Asian daddy and a white mommy.  

   I am grateful that my son is growing up thinking it’s all perfectly normal.  He sees, and doesn’t seem to care one way or the other, that people dress differently and use words that sound different.  His babysitter is Indonesian.  Our neighbors around the corner are Orthodox Jews.  Our neighbors two doors down are Korean.  

   And it’s all okay.  That’s the way the world is, that’s the way our world should be.  My son has never once commented on the differences; he only seems to notice the similarities.

4 comments:

  1. Honey,
    Your writing is so insightful and full of love. Just the way you are!
    I am so proud of our son! I Love you with all of my heart!
    Love,
    Paul

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  2. Ryan is doing so well in pre-school and adjusted so quickly.I think it is wonderful that he is with all colors and races of children and that he sees no difference.This is how it should be.I have never believed children should go to an all boy or girl school or only a school of their faith.As they go out in the real world it is made up of all kinds so they need to start being with all from the beginning.You are a FANTASTIC mommy and are doing a WONDERFUL job in raising him.He truly knows how much he is loved.He is an exceptional little boy and I love him and you very much.
    love,mommy

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  3. I love you and your son just the way you are. I find no difference in your life, my wife your mother says there is a cover for every pot. There is no difference in the colors of our family, it is just the way things are. Your Mother and I are proud of you. We love you and Ryan very much.

    Love, Dad

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  4. Wow Wendy! What a fantastic writer you are! Thank you for sharing your blog with me; I look forward to coming back often...!

    Sounds like Ryan is doing really well adjusting to this great big diverse world of ours! Kudos to you and the hubby. :)

    One of the things I appreciate the most about Rosewood is its diversity...

    Denine

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