Friday, March 22, 2024

Conversations with Stella

Young children have a way to say or act out obvious things without any intention of being negative. Although, what they say stings a little as you may initially view it as negative, then you realize how accurate and funny it is. Kids are sponges and repeat almost everything they hear, because of that you will find a lot of humor in any conversation with a young kid. So, here’s some stories I’ll share about my granddaughter, Stella. 

     While at my son’s house visiting, Stella was pretending to be an old grandma. I don’t know why or what prompted her, but the mind of a child is hard to understand. She had a broom handle she used as a cane, walked hunched over, spoke with a crackle in her voice and stretched her neck forward. 

*****

     On our way to the park we stopped at Target to pickup a prescription. As I got out of the car, my wife, Mimi tells Stella, “Papa’s going to run into Target to get his medicine.”

     Stella even at 3 1/2 is always ready with a comment or question, and said. “Papa can’t run.” 

     “Hey, little girl.” I tickle her. “Papa runs, but slower than you.”

     Remember when you ran ‘Full out’ by that I mean being in that grey area where you’re going really fast and about to fall. That’s how little kids run, so she’s right because Papa’s don’t run like that or at all.

******

      At five years old she ask many questions and has opinions on everything. While at the grocery store to pickup a few items for a dinner, I loaded up her basket with some items, but she questioned some of my choices.

     Stella asked. “What kind of ice cream is that?”

     “It’s coyote tracks.”

     She turned up her nose and said.  “I don’t like that.”

     I pictured what she was thinking, so I said. “There are no coyotes in it. I promise.”

     “I don’t want that.” She pointed at cookies and cream. “Everybody likes that.”

     I knew it was too late she had already imagined coyote pieces in the first ice cream. I got the cookies and cream.

     I asked if she brought money to pay for all this stuff. She giggled and said. “No PaPa, you got money.”

     I laughed. “Why do I always have to pay?”

******

     The next day we went to the donut shop to pick out some donuts for breakfast. As we stood in line, Stella spotted an older man sitting at a table. His back was facing us and he had white hair and a bald spot like mine. Stella said. “Let’s go talk to him.” 

     I laughed. I guess she thought we knew each other or had some kindred connection because of our hair.  “I don’t know him.” Then I laughed again.

     She said. “Go say, Hi.” Still believing our similar hair would make us friends.

     We were standing by the door so I said. “You can say Hi when you see him leaving.” 

     As he got up to leave he walked over to throw his trash out. Stella said. “His face is different and he walks different, you’re must be older.” 

     “What, why do I have to be older?”

     He walked out the door and Stella waved and said “Hi.” But he didn’t respond. I don’t think he heard her. Maybe my hearing is better. He must be older.

“Just Saying . . .”


Friday, March 15, 2024

People Disappoint

I'm lucky to have family and friends that lift me up. Some of the friends I have I've known since grade school and although we don't see each other frequently sharing time with them never disappoints. That's not the case with many people. Some kids grow up without support from family and friends. They have never been taught any values, either spiritual or social. They have no rules to rely on and no guidance from adults. It's not their fault it's ours. 

     As parents and adults we have the responsibility to raise our children to live a productive life. It's not easy but it's necessary. Parents need to step up and save the children. Set down some rules and enforce them. Let them know there are consequences and stand firm on those. Right now there's a lack of parental guidance and our children need guidance more than ever.

     The recent incidents with the violent fights between school kids cements the need to guide and protect our children. We have lost the bubble on teaching values. Religious values have been forgotten. We need them back. Even non-religious societies have rules and values. Society should move forward in a positive way, but we have taken a step backward. Right now we seem to be floundering in a sea of hatred. 

     The rage filled beating of the 15 year old girl was a violent, and the stabbing of a 14 year old boy are evil acts that should not go unpunished. There are no excuses for this type of behavior. Adults need to take action. Doing nothing is a sign of weakness.

     Stop justifying the bad behavior of today on the bad behavior from the past. Stop trying to find excuses, look for solutions. We need rules to live by and spiritual guidance to inspire us. Fix it now before it's too late. “Just Saying . . .”