|
![senior scribes](http://www.countynewsonline.org/img/sponsorship.jpg) |
All The King's
Horses
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! It has come to my attention that there are those who believe
that I accept what people write and submit it for my column...which is
not true. Through my conversations with people, I get ideas for
"themes" for the column but, I do not accept nor print written
submissions.
I've been twisting this column around in my head for a while now. Are
we responsible for each other - health, wealth, emotions, etc? How far
should we go to be responsible? How far should we expect someone to go
to be responsible for us? How often should we "let it slide" and say to
ourselves: "They had something else on their mind?" How often do we
drop a hint that we would like a thank-you for what we have done for
them? Do we "space-off" people who seemingly always forget these "p's
& q's?" Do we bluntly or gently remind them of these "social
graces" and their needed place in society today - maybe more so needed
today in our "rat-race" culture?
The area here is not black or white. There's a lot of gray. We all have
our wants and desires out of this life. I'll sidestep the "rights"
angle. Let's use the scenario of a person who is retired...is
independently wealthy...handicapped, etc. He/She might have a part-time
job. It might look like they have a lot of "free time" - to loaf,
etc. If he/she takes you somewhere (say they're a friend) - do you pay
for their gas - a snack - a tip? In this situation they're acting as a
cabbie (cab-driver) and some people tip them - they are maneuvering
through traffic and keeping out the "watchful eye" for any and all
"accidents waiting to happen." What happens if the vehicle needs
something....tires, oil change, wiper blades...any number of little
things that add up to big bucks if you do not know how to handle these
things yourself or are unable to do them. The driver/owner of the
vehicle is at your beck and call - so to speak. How far do we expect
them to go without compromising their lifestyle - or daily routine?
What looks like "nothing to do" for them might be their time to deal
with a problem or idea , about which we know nothing (It might be none
of our business.)
You could put just about any situation in the above example - marriage,
friends, colleagues, parent/child, employer/employee, mayor/citizen,
etc. Again - how far do we go to maintain these relationships?? How
long do you not say anything when you feel you should have gotten more
than money?
Or - do we all need a refresher course in the "behind-the-scenes"
triggers that give us what we do see? You know - the guy who cuts you
off in traffic might be going to the hospital because his
wife/Mom/child is gravely ill. He might be ill himself. The old couple
who walk so extremely slow holding hands in front of you might have
recently gotten bad news...one of them might have been told they have
30/60/90 days to live. Someone we think we know might be reliving a bad
memory they have not shared with us...or anyone.
"All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty
together again." We night not need the King's horses or his men. We
might be able to do this one ourselves - if we turn off the
tv/computer/cell phone and talk/listen.
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!! MONA
|
|
|
<
|