I sat with my friend Larisa in Izy Coffee this morning. She’s the one on the left.

Larisa grew up in the Soviet Union. It was a protected existence. Very few strangers showed up in her town. One day – wonder of wonders – a black fellow came towards mom and five-year-old daughter on the street.

Young Larisa was already steeped in magical stories. “Unicorns! I wonder if there really are such things.” And now something equally amazing was getting close.

Larisa’s mouth sprang open. She hid in her mother’s coat … but kept looking. I can imagine her thinking “What is that!?” She stared at the black skin.

The man smiled in return. He must have been a wise one. He understood what was happening and joyed in the girl’s innocence.

***

Flash forward a whole bunch of years … to age 23. Larisa was travelling in China. Language was a problem but connection was not. Lots of folks asked to take her picture. She was mystified. Why?

Larisa’s tour guide provided an answer that pierced to the heart. “Many people here today in Beijing live far away, in the open lands of China. This may be the first time they’ve come to the big city.”

“They’ve never seen a white woman. They think you’re ugly. Your eyes are far too big.”

The young woman hearing these words smiled. She knew she wasn’t ugly. She immediately popped herself into the minds of the rural folks who wanted her photo.

Never before

Completely unknown

What is that?

At one time expressing bewilderment … later receiving it

All natural in the way of things