Diversity

When I was in high school, I had a friend who was Chinese. She was in the same grade and in at least half of my classes. We were best friends all through our junior year. I practically lived at her house and we spent every waking moment with each other. Her mom was the sweetest person I had ever met, but I never really knew her father. Every time I stayed over for dinner, her mom would make the most amazing food (other than my own mother's cooking). I remember helping set the table. Everything had to be "just so," and her mother would critique and criticize every aspect of the table. I can remember her fixing anything that was amiss. I tended to be the one who laid things down wrong. Any time I entered her house, I remembered to remove my shoes and leave them in a specific spot; always aligning them with each other and the wall. There was a great amount of respect between parent and child. When her mother would ask us to something, we would hop-to like soldiers.I learned a great deal of respect from my friend and her mother. I felt like a part of their family, especially because they were accepting of me, even when I messed things up. I really liked being around her and her family. Unfortunately, over the years we have grown apart. I will always remember the things that I learned at her house.