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Along Life’s Way
Taking the Lumps
By Lois E. Wilson
Having parents who were both teachers, a lot was expected of me. Being
an only child, you have no siblings to guide you or with whom to share
problems. You are on your own. There are friends; however, the debate
is always how much of family events do you discuss with others.
All through childhood Mother would gently admonish, “Pretty is as
pretty does. Be a little lady.” Of course, as most parents do, they
felt whatever I did, good or bad, reflected on them. So a lot of times
decisions were made on the basis of “What would my parents think?” A
guilt response kept me in line.
There was no skipping school, shirking homework, drinking, smoking,
doing drugs, lying about why I was late or where I had been. I tried to
live up to their measure—a high standard indeed.
At times, I’m sure I uttered sighs of disappointment and questioned
“why?” If I asked for something they didn’t want me to have, and they
denied me, I offered the childish pout. I was not one to argue, scream,
or cry to influence them. I knew these would be futile tactics.
One Christmas, something got my attention in a big way. Santa made the
ultimate statement. In my stocking hung on the mantle, all I found were
two lumps of coal. Apparently Santa had been dissatisfied with my
conduct.
To this day, I am not exactly sure what actions of mine prompted these
lumps from Santa. I know I was deeply hurt and speechless—I probably
went to my room so that no one would see me and cried. As shown here, I
never forgot it.
After I was grown, married, and had children, I knew I didn’t want
Santa to reprimand our sons in that way. I don’t think Santa ever did.
I still think of my Mother’s words to me. I tried to do “pretty” all my
life, but I don’t believe it made me pretty. But one request of hers
for me may have worked because these days you could say, “I am a little
lady.” OOPS! That guilt conscience caught up with me again. I cannot
lie, “I am a little old lady.”
My wish is that your Christmas stockings and the new year hold
blessings. If we should get some coal lumps along life’s way,
it’s good to remember that they can generate energy. Let’s harvest it
and use it well. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2018!
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