My world may be rose colored. I came to this realization while reflecting upon the impending holiday season, the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a season of peace, joy and cheer. It’s the time of year when even the most vile of humanity may just find an ounce of goodness within them to extend some love to their fellow man. Why cannot this be a year round way of life?

I am well aware of the social injustices, civil unrest and undeniable fact that we live among hateful, bigoted, ignorant people. And as of late, I’m drowning in the reminders.

Being cognizant and sensitive to the plight of specific individuals and groups, I have always considered myself an empathetic person. I admit that it isn’t without judgment – we all judge, even if we don’t realize it, but some of us take that step back and step into the shoes of others, making the time to learn and understand where they are coming from.

I was the kid others reached out to confess, “I’m gay.” I was the kid who asked her mother, “Why are all the dolls white?” From an early age, I somehow saw through the superficiality, the social norms and the injustices in life.

Prejudice. Racism. Sexism. Gay bashing. Ageism. Here come the rose colored glasses.

Because I realized tonight that no matter how empathetic I am, I have no clue what gays, blacks, disabled or others have endured. The day to day experiences. The interactions with others – those like Archie Bunker, who I grew up with on the television.

On an intellectual level, I get it. But in reality, I want everyone to be in the world I grew up in. How I was raised. Get those glasses out.

Growing up, I danced and skated. Flamboyantly gay males excelled and I never thought of them as different. I thought of them as family – and my family had friends from all walks of life.

Fast forward to my teaching and coaching days, when the school I worked for wouldn’t take on the trans-gender teen unless I would be the instructor. The highest compliment ever.

I’ve taught cross-dressers how to walk in heels and trans-genders how to enhance their features through cosmetics. I’ve had black friends, Asian friends, Indian friends and lesbian friends – to name a few.

What brought us together? Their attributes as human beings. Their character, integrity and personality. I never saw color, sex, gender or anything else. They were people – and I liked them.

So as I contemplated this rose-colored way of life, my bohemian childhood came back to me.

And I think I owe it all to Marlo Thomas and her creation of “Free to be you and me.” The major thematic message is that anyone—whether a boy or a girl—can achieve anything. If you haven’t heard of or listened to this compilation, do it now. I can still recite each song, word for word.

But most of all, I owe it to my parents, who brought that into my life at a tender age and who raised me to respect and honor diversity. Boys playing with dolls? Girls driving tractors? Black friends? It’s all good. And it is – better than good. It’s wonderful – just like this time of year.

And the lyrics …

“Every boy in this land grows to be his own man

In this land, every girl grows to be her own woman

Take my hand, come with me where the children are free

Come with me, take my hand, and we’ll run

To a land where the river runs free

To a land through the green country

To a land to a shining sea

To a land where the horses run free

To a land where the children are free

And you and me are free to be

And you and me are free to be

And you and me are free to be you and me”