My children are going into Middle School and High School (and the pain that comes along with typing that is felt squarely in my crows feet). Yet, I still find things like this:
It’s just a note from Emma to her brother and Dad…but written on the side of the house? Just outside the back door? There are plenty of pieces of papers scattered about our house. On the dining room floor, for example. I have no idea why, but there is a perfectly plain and unused piece of copy paper under the dining room table.
I didn’t even get made when I saw this. Well, I didn’t get mad after she told me in rushed and anxious words that she wrote this in chalk and not the dreaded Sharpie that I feared. And without my even having to say the words But, whyyyy? outloud, she giggled and said, “I don’t know!” and sauntered on toward another adventure.
People are strange. Even children. And certainly teenagers. People do things that seem to make no sense at all. People do weird and unexpected things simply because they can. That reason – just because they can – doesn’t make their actions ok or even desirable. Sometimes, those same actions are downright offensive.
But! That’s life and it takes all kinds. Thankfully, we can choose to be the kind of person we want to be. We can choose to be considerate or not. We can choose to be kind or not. We can choose to be happy or not. And, if we choose wisely, we just might make out all right.
And, if we don’t choose wisely? Well…..all I can suggest is to grab some chalk, start writing on things and just let people think your nuts. At least that way, they may feel sorry for you. That’s a lot better than people thinking your tacky.
