Posted by Shortelise on December 2, 2005, at 18:38:05
In reply to Re: Rust, posted by Toph on December 2, 2005, at 16:40:00
Sorry, Toph, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings by laughing. I was laughing more at myself than at you - everything you describe fits me.
Getting older has its advantages ... For one, I am calmer, wiser and kinder.
As for yelling at kids, well, it's better if I don't, but sometimes the little punks are are the sidewalk screaming like banshees, or they throw garbage on the ground. They deserve having someone draw the line and if I'm there, I do it. Too many kids are out of control with no respect for themselves, their peers or the world around them. So, as an example of irrate old age, I'm afraid yelling at kids doesn't wash. We are part of a community, and so are the kids - talking to them, in kindness or to chastise, I think is part of our job as human being, as members of the world.
Last summer, there were three teenaged girls walking down the street and one of them screamed blood curdling screams a couple of times. I ran outside. There they were, cool as they could be. I said to them, if someone attacked you, would you want me to come and help, to help you defend yourself? Yes, they said. Well, if you scream like that when nothing is wrong, prettty soon I'm not going to bother to come running, so when you really need help, noone is going to come. Ahh. They might have thought I'm an old bat (hey, I 'm only 50) but maybe they heard me.
Toph, I intend to do my very best to grow old gracefully. I need more exercise though.
ShortE
poster:Shortelise
thread:584477
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051120/msgs/584736.html