Someday

In the last month, my world seems to have become a much meaner place. Dave's bosses are getting away with more and more union violations (so glad we pay THOSE dues and deal with their harrassing phone calls at every election). Some of the kids' teachers treat me like I'm stupid because I have 5 children. By getting regular flu mists for my kids in October, I rendered them unable to get the H1N1 mist last week. (Had I known, I obviously would NOT have done things in that order.) I got a text message from one of my former Young Women at church telling me she heard someone talking bad about my family a couple of Wednesdays ago, but not to worry because she "set them straight." (Which I do not doubt for a minute, knowing her.) Of course, she won't tell me who it is-which makes me feel like I can't trust anyone at church. Actually, because it was on a Wednesday night, that does narrows the "who" question down by quite a bit. But knowing any of those particular people would be talking about us is hurtful and, in a few cases, surprising. Then there was Natalie's Norman Children's Choir uniform fiasco (I ordered the wrong color of shirt) on the night of their first peformance. And then just the usual stress of having a big family as we head into the birthday/holiday season. (Natalie, two nieces, and a nephew all have birthdays in a 10-day span.) Within my social circle, it seems that many are fond of pointing out my shortcomings as I am biting my own tongue to keep from telling them that they aren't all that I thought they were either. Outside of it, all I see is a world full of stressed out people who have forgotten how to be kind and compassionate. And it all makes me very sad. My Dad thought that the 60's Civil Rights movement would eventually effect such a permanent change in society that by the time I was an adult, we would all accept each other on equal terms and, you know, JUST BE NICE. As it turns out...not so much. Even among people who know better than to act like that. Poor Dad! He must be so disappointed. I know I am. But it was a lovely thought, and this lovely song describes it perfectly. So in honor of my dad, and with the hope that he was right on some level; I'm dedicating this to everyone reading here and asking them to try to be a little nicer this week. And I will too: