As I was filling up my car recently I noticed a young man limping across the parking lot toward the cashier. I immediately thought about my kids and how lucky I was that we never had to deal with severe physical problems.
Most of my grandchildren are still working their way through getting their education. They are physically fit and mentally blessed, so any career they have a passion for is probably theirs for the taking.
What was in store for this young man? Did his affliction come about as a result of military combat? If so, I sure hope that we, as a country, will take care of him and get him the education he will need to succeed in this world.
My eldest grandson is a helicopter pilot. I worry about him, but he has many skills and would succeed in other fields if necessary.
His brother, on the other hand, is very much into physical activities. Although he is working his way through college, his idea of heaven is his job on a ski slope.
Now, I’m watching the young man cross the parking lot again. Good grief, his pants are halfway down his legs and he has to hang on to the front of them to keep them up. Now I’m upset that I even thought about feeling sorry for him.
Does he not have a family? Why doesn’t some adult tell him he is just being plain stupid? Does anyone, friend or family, care what’s going to become of someone who walks around looking like that? Or are they also walking around that way?
What would be your reaction to a person you were doing business with if he walked in having to hold his pants up?
Years ago one of my grandsons had a photo of himself on Facebook with a tattoo of a dragon on the side of his neck. I was not upset about the dragon; it could have been an arc angel for all I cared.
But a tattoo? Was he out of his mind?
I immediately emailed him and his mother. What was he thinking? I immediately got a reply. Not to worry, it was washable. He asked why I would worry. I told him first off that I loved him and hated to see him do something at age 17 that would affect him for the rest of his life.
Plus, it did not show respect to his mother. If in his 30s he wants to do something so permanent, although I didn’t think it would be too bright, that was his business.
A friend of mine who was aware of the tattoo episode advised me to tread easy. What if my grandson started to dislike me? I made it clear to her that I didn’t care. I never cared if my kids liked me when they were growing up, and certainly not the grandkids.
But I sure wanted them to care as adults. I had raised children, not a group of friends. Sometimes you have to be the adult. I’m from the school of tough love.
I’m sorry the young man in the parking lot didn’t have someone who cared.
Margaret Griffin has lived in Sun City Hilton Head for 16 years.
