While working in the gift shop at “the caverns” yesterday, I encountered a young man (9 or 12 or something) that made quite an impression on me. What did he do? He thanked his parents for bringing him to see the caverns and for the things they bought him in the shop.
Now, that may not seem like a big deal. After all, it’s simple good manners to say thank you. I’ve waited on hundereds of parents buying their kids stuff in the gift shop this summer though, and this is the first time I remember hearing the child say thank you. I’m sure there were others that I have forgotten, but all the same, it’s a rare thing for this to happen. More often I hear kids whining about not getting the item they really wanted, or wanting more, or while seeming happy about the purchase not saying a word of thanks.
When the transaction was completed I looked at the boy and said that I needed to tell him something. “I’m really proud of you!”, I began. “You said thank you to your parents and not many kids to that. I’m impressed! You’re a good kid. Keep up the good work.” A huge smile lit his face as I talked to him.
We all take so much for granted, children and adults alike. We forget to say thanks and don’t take the time to use good manners. As parents and teachers we need to be grateful ourselves and voice that gratitude, and gently teach the children in our care to do the same. Once they’ve been taught, we should expect good manners and hold one another accountable. Not a big deal, but it sure would make the world a better place.
I grew up with Kate. (Kate is not her real name, but I do like to protect the innocent when I’m writing.) Our parents were friends, we went to the same church, we went to the same school and had the same teachers, and we were in some of the same activities. When we were around 9 we went to church camp for the first time in cute matching shorts outfits. When we were teens we went to a church youth conference and came home not speaking to one another. We began our college careers at the same University. Kate was beside me when I got married. Kate and I share some history.
We are very different in many ways, although I suspect that upon close scrutiny we may find that we have more in common that either of us will ever admit to. Our lives went in different directions many years ago, and while we remained friends we did not make the effort to see one another often. I’ve sometimes wondered why, but I guess I never allowed myself to dwell on it. Kate went to music school and eventually became a minister. I got married, had kids, and eventually became a teacher. We are just too different to be close, I supposed. At times I’d lament that fact, because at times I’d really miss Kate; but things are the way they are, I reasoned, and there’s nothing to be done about that.
It had been years since I had last seen Kate and I began my summer vowing to myself that this year I would pay a visit. It had been so long in fact, that I was afraid we would be akward together and find little to talk about once we had caught up on the basics. What would I do if, after all these years of absence, Kate had decided that she was better off without ever seeing me? The friendship business can be risky at times, and
God bless you and keep you,
Always in Light.
God guard you and guide you,
Whatever your fight.
God with you and love you,
In depth or in height.
God for you,
Restore you,
By day and by night.
My computer was making a lot of noise….noises computers aren’t supposed to make. I put off taking it for repairs because I imagined it would be very hard to live without the Internet for a week or more. I was right! And I was also wrong!
The first 4 days I actually felt relieved that I didn’t have to ”bother” with the computer. I was surprised! I had never before realized that (sometimes as least) I consider the things I do on the computer to be a bother. Upon reflection I decided that much of what I do on the computer is more habit than everyday necessity. By day 5 I was becoming a little anxious about what may be in my email box and I started thinking about some things I need to type, but it wasn’t until day 7 that I actually missed having my computer, and that’s the day I got it back.
I’m glad that my computer needed repaired. My experience of being without it has led me to make the decision to choose two days of the week that I will stay away from my computer unless I need to do something for work that just can’t wait. Two days a week of pretending to go back in time, to BC time…that’s BC for “before computers.” Remember those days? Two days a week without going on-line. Two days a week that I will have more time to do other things. I’m still thinking about which two days, and I’m not going to be totally inflexible about the whole thing. I think that I’ve made a healthy decision though, and I pray for the grace to stick with it.
