The Color Purple
From the time my daughter was little into young adulthood, she has always disliked the color purple. So much so, if I ever bought her clothing that had the slightest spec of purple, back to the store it went.
When she was researching colleges she refused to look at any place that had purple as a school spirit color, even if it fit all other requirements in her selecting criteria. People used to laugh in disbelief when I told them. She had said, “Mom, there is NO WAY I would wear purple for four years, especially playing soccer, I would be forced to wear it,”…..ARGH!
She also claimed to have a serious adversion to cheerleaders, yep, you heard it right…..cheerleaders. WHAT? At one point, prior to high school, I suggesred that she try out for the squad during soccer’s off season, since I had fun as a “Sparkette” (Pom, Pom squad) in high school and Pom, Pom squad and cheerleader in college. She was having nothing to do with it, and “Mom, how could you EVER ask a soccer player to be a cheerleader?” She was an athlete that couldn’t be bothered by the cheerleading drama that went on in her circle of friends, specifically one girl.
She finally settled on her college choice, and happily the colors were red and black, and she headed off in mid-summer to preseason training. She was assigned a big sister on her soccer team, and low and behold….purple was this girl’s favorite color. They had to buy little things throughout the season in support of one another, and she reluctantly asked me to pick up a bunch of purple items…HA!
Once preseason was over, the rest of the students moved on campus. She had never met her roommate but was praying they would like each other and “Dear Lord, please let her bedding and room decor not be purple!” Well….guess what……her cheerleading roommate’s favorite color was purple! I had to laugh when she told me. I mentioned to her earlier this would probably happen…..mama was right….insert big cheesey smile. Despite the purple bedding, pillows and knick-knacks, I am happy to report they became great friends even though her roommate unexpectedly left school the summer before their junior year, and because of timing, Hannah was assigned a new roommate.
Life teaches us many lessons, in Hannah’s case it was tolerance and understanding. She had preconceived notions based on one girl’s behavior and wrongly put that on any other girl that decided to be a cheerleader. As for the color purple, she’s still not crazy about it, but has come to accept it….haha. The good Lord was making sure Hannah got her fill of purple and cheerleaders, and she learned things aren’t always as they seem. The saying goes…..never judge a book by it’s cover; I am thankful my daughter learned the same valuable lesson.
By having to confront what she didn’t like, it gave her the opportunity to see the other side. It taught her not to judge the person by their actions, choices, or the color purple. I love when things come full circle.
xoxox…..Sheryl
ps….her second roommate’s favorite color is purple and she is also a cheerleader…..so much irony here, I am laughing out loud as I write this post. Happily, they turned out to be great friends too!