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By: Sylvia Mountain

About 12 years ago, I was out driving with my grandson Marshall, we were on a mission to buy strawberries from a berry farm. It was a beautiful sunny day and we were anticipating our feast of strawberries. As we approached one big established farm, Marshall said, “there’s a berry farm”. I gripped the steering wheel determinedly, continued driving on and said rather harshly, “we’re not going in there”. He turned with a puzzled look and said, “why not?” 

“Why not”!!?? My mind flashed back. Awareness hit and I burst out laughing, embarrassed at myself. When I was about Marshall’s age, 12–13 years old, my father got into a court battle with the owner of this farm over who had the water rights to a creek that ran through our two properties. It had been part of many conversations in our household. I realized in that moment of Marshall’s question that for over 50 years I had been avoiding this farm because of my ingrained prejudice. I was still waving the banner for my father’s battles even though both my father and this farmer were no longer alive.

I didn’t turn around and go to that farm, but it was a moment of insight for me. I resolved to really examine my attitudes, the judgements I may have made of others, and to try to understand the root and validity of them. Reconciliation has happened on occasion, even if it is only me talking to me.