My friend, Sandy

This year I look forward to reuniting with Sandy, who was my best friend from Kindergarten through fifth grade. In sixth grade, for the first time ever, we were put into separate classes, and we soon drifted apart.

Last year a notice about my 40 year high school reunion showed up on Facebook. And that's when Sandy came back into my life. At first we conversed via messaging on Facebook and then eventually we had a phone conversation. I had no idea how much she had missed me, as I had missed her for forty-six years. There was this hole in each of our lives when we were put into separate classes. At the time I was well aware of the sudden prejudice against her family, and a completely untrue rumor about them that had spread like wildfire. And, I was confused by it, and why it was keeping us apart. Sandy and I hadn't argued about anything. There was no falling out between us.

Forty-six years of separation had been caused by the fears and prejudice of others around us. We were two little girls caught in the middle.

Sandy grew up with the teachings of Jesus Christ, and lives by the Golden Rule. She is a beautiful, accepting and tolerant woman who has a heart of gold. I grew up to be a Trance Medium, with a deep belief and wonderment about Christ and all that he stood for, and I too am accepting and tolerant. She has recently told me several times that, in her heart, I have always been her best friend. We desperately look forward to seeing each other again, and I have the feeling I'm going to cry deeply when I hug Sandy again. I can't wait.

Please be very mindful, very careful in the words you say or share in every day life, with your family, friends, or total strangers, on Facebook or other social media. You have no idea how deeply your words might penetrate someone's soul, and permeate their life, their values, and their way of being. Traipse lightly upon this ground of our collective consciousness. Let's plant seeds that grow love and hopefulness for a beautiful tomorrow. Let's do the things that will bring us closer together. Let's listen to one another so as to understand the other perspectives. Let's learn from each other, and through love let us at last find unity in the diversity of our lives.