At the end of the day, I dont care how popular or successful my kids are. I only care how kind and fair they are to others. Years ago I watched in disbelief as a bully slammed against a girl in the hallway. Although he didnt see me watching, my oldest son Will ran over and gathered her books, apologizing for the cruel and ignorant actions of his classmate. Jon, my second child, used to work at a nearby gas station while in high school. (Like his dad Larry, hes always really enjoyed the company of older people.) One day he came home quiet and depressed. When I questioned what was wrong, he told me one of his best friends ( a man of eighty) had fallen that morning and broken his hip. Katie, when she first moved to Denver, was walking home from the market one day when she noticed a group of children at recess taunting another child. She put down her shopping bag and let the offenders know they were being jerks for taking the little girls shoes. She ultimately got the attention of teachers on duty who didnt appreciate her involvement. She took off running, dropping groceries all along the way. Sydney,like her siblings has always been the champion of neglected animals and people. (One of my dearest memories is of a summer day when she was just three or four. Brad had just fished a dead mouse out of the pool skimmer. When Sydney saw the poor little thing, she started sobbing and blubbered something to the effect, But I loved that mouse.) An internship at a nursing home in Lima was the perfect fit for a girl who just loves people, no matter what their age or story. Emily turned herself into the office to be disciplined when she was a senior in high school. She had witnessed several boys tossing the books and chair of a new freshman. All ninety-eight pounds of her charged the table as she unleashed a string of profanity on them. (When the principal reviewed her actions on the surveillance tape, he commended her.) I dont think I have ever heard my youngest Maggie speak unkindly about anyone. Many times she has ridden shotgun when Ive driven to feed and water a neglected dog or gone in search of someones missing pet. Oh, theyve all tested my patience and affection over the years through defiant or disobedient behavior, but I feel profoundly grateful that my children, now mostly grown, typically put others before themselves.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 17:54:16 +0000
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