Children never cease to amaze me with their ability to share love and compassion in ways that adults cannot seem to comprehend. And the students at Bear Tavern Elementary School in New Jersey exhibit the type of affection I’m referring to.
To properly comprehend the act of generosity performed by these Fifth Graders, we must go back 60 years. Reverend Gilbert Caldwell had just married Grace, his love of his life, and he couldn’t wait to take her on their honeymoon in 1957. Gilbert had arranged a room at a Poconos resort, a long trek considering the two were married in North Carolina. But they packed their belongings and left.
Unfortunately, when they arrived at the resort, management tried to inform the couple that they didn’t have a reservation, although Gilbert had his confirmation in hand. Finally, the couple was asked to leave, and it was made abundantly apparent that this was due to the couple’s race.
Heartbroken, the couple was compelled to stay at a nearby all-black hunting lodge. The couple had not anticipated a gang of burley men with guns on their honeymoon. When they returned home, Reverend Gilbert became involved in the Civil Rights Movement, working with Martin Luther King Jr.
Gilbert now visits schools with his wife Grace, where they discuss the Civil Rights Movement and segregation. The Reverend generally tells the youngsters about their honeymoon to help them comprehend what life was like back then. When the fifth graders at Bear Tavern heard the story, they were blown away.
In fact, simply thinking about it makes some of them cry. So they wrote letters to the resort in an attempt to put things right. The resort is a completely new structure with new owners. But, after reading the story in the letters, the owners decided they had to aid these kids.
As a result, they decided to honor the kids’ request for a free honeymoon re-do. And now, 60 years later, the Caldwells are finally enjoying the honeymoon they’ve always wanted. And it’s all thanks to some extraordinary children with large hearts and a desire to make the world a better place. This is amazing!
