We took the kids to the playground on Wednesday so they could get a little fresh air. On the way there, Hannah asked me if there would be anyone there for her to play with. I said that I doubted it, as it was 11:30 in the morning on a school day in the middle of the week in the middle of September.
But there were a whole bunch of kids her age running around. Which made me automatically think “homeschoolers” (because I am just so freaking smart, dontcha know)…
So Hannah asked one of the little girls around her age, and sure enough, they were homeschoolers.
I was curious, because I had never seen any of the moms before at any SOS (secular in the ocean state) function, so I went over to chat.
Jackpot!
They all lived in Pawtucket!
They meet at the park every week!
Then the bad news…
They were a christian homeschooling group…
I smiled while she told me, but inside I was already a little worried… What would they say if they knew I was a witch? Not that I hide it or am embarrassed… But I feel there are times when it is easier to be discreet… And I felt funny, I hoped that they would be cool and tolerant, but you never know how people are going to react… It would be neat to know some homeschoolers in our area, as all our friends are down in south county…
So I didn’t say anything and we kept on chatting… About curriculum choices and baby carriers and so on… It was actually quite pleasant. Until the head mom happened to glance down at my hand and saw my pentacle ring… She looked at the other ladies as she said, “I think I am going to go get some sun…” And they ALL as a group walked quickly away from me, without saying a word, and congregated on the otherside of the playground… (In the shade, mind you) whispering and looking covertly at me over their shoulders… And none of them said another word to me while we were there… Not even a polite “goodbye, it was nice chatting…” Nothing.
How silly is that? How close-minded and silly and IGNORANT!
Even though I was a little worried, because I thought they might react like that, I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t want to be unfair and judge them before I knew them…
And they totally confirmed my fears…
Well, I would’ve thought it was really cool and would’ve loved chatting with you. So sorry that happened.