Every time we go to the beach at Siesta Key we see a number of Mennonites. The men have long beards and nearly always are fully clothed -- long-sleeve shirts, long pants and suspenders -- while the rest of us walk around in bathing suits. Most times the men take off their shoes and socks and roll up their pants to walk in the surf. The women wear long dresses and white headwear.
You wonder how they can suffer the heat in those outfits. At first, I felt sorry for them. But then I was ashamed for feeling that way. It is obvious that they are different, and also obvious that they don't care what other people wear, for they have their culture, their religion, and they seem content with their unique lifestyle.
My feeling of sadness turned to one of admiration. While the rest of the world seems to overdose on plasma TVs, convertibles, high rent and high living, they have stuck with a lifestyle that is hundreds of years old.
Wait. I just saw two young Mennonite men wearing shorts. One of the them was on a cell phone. Oh, well.
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