Appreciation

Appreciation. Nice word. It has a few meanings. It means to understand, be grateful and to increase in value. I have some thoughts on this word from the parent's point of view. I appreciate the circumstances of my children. I understand where they live. What they do for an occupation. I know their spouses and children. I would hope they appreciate my life too. The meaning of grateful I think is much misunderstood. It doesn't mean physical renumeration. Parents do things out of love and concern for their children. Payback isn't what we're looking for. A sincere "Thank You' and an appreciation of why we did something is sufficient. Appreciation, though, seems to have a very short memory.  Forgotten are the things done in the past. I, too, am guilty. I used to forget what my parents did for me. Only concerned with the recent months arrivals.  I used to lash out without thinking of all they had done and hurt the ones who loved me. Parenthood, it seems to me, doesn't appreciate. Unfortunately, as the child's and the parent's ages become more distant, so does the appreciation of the relationship. The appreciation turns to devaluation. The parent stills appreciates the relationship but the child caught up in their daily lives, doesn't. A blase approach is taken. Feelings only a parent can appreciate.

Seniority

Sixty two is creeping up on me. Slowly another birthday is arriving. As much as I don't want to admit it, I am a senior citizen. The clincher is that I accept senior discounts here in Florida. I always viewed seniors as old, crabby people who complained about everything. I still think we are crabby complainers  but now I understand why. I grew up in a different era. People haven't changed, just their awareness of manners and respect. I have become even more polite and respectful because I observe such little of it in everyday encounters with people, friends and co workers. What ever happened to "please" and "thank you"? What happened to to saying "excuse me" when walking in front of someone? What happened to opening doors for someone? What happened to responding to phone calls in a timely manner? Some of us remember the way it should be and it makes today's re misses even more glaring. Sure, I know the response. We were never taught or required to do these things. I never blame kids just their parents. I do know people of my generation knew and taught their kids. Somehow along the way the teaching has become relaxed and left along the byway like trash people discard as useless. The old adage is still valid today. "Treat others as you would want to be treated". And that's my Senior Moment!

Songs

YouTube - Cat Stevens - Father and Son Original  YouTube - Nike Basketball CommercialYouTube - Michael Jackson Memorial Service Stevie Wonder  YouTube - Wishing You Were Somehow Here AgainYouTube - garth brooks the river

These songs have moved me, inspired me, taught me and pleased me greatly. Cat Steven's " Father and Son" is the epitome of most people's relationship with their parents. Marvin Gaye's National Anthem shows what a musical genius can do with a simple arrangement and a song. Stevie Wonder's tribute to Michael Jackson is one my favorite songs. No one emotes like Stevie. "Wishing you were" is for everyone who has lost someone, be it a person or a pet. " The River" is a great inspirational song. I had this on my front bulletin board when I taught High School. Hopefully it inspired my students too. Click on the links and enjoy!

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is that wonderful chemical process in plants. I swear my blood is green, not red. I believe that I am a plant and not human. When the sun is hidden by clouds and rain my photosynthesis ceases. I am lethargic, sad, lazy and generally good for nothing. A sliver of sunlight and my chemical reaction begins to percolate. The hemoglobin starts to flow and just like a plant I get out of that chair and rise to the sun. Life is wonderful again. Like Kermit it's good to be green.

The Path of Least Resistance

People I think are like electricity. They always seek the path of least resistance. I, myself, used to seek this too. I liked to hear nice, positive things about me. They weren't always true but I hung around with people who said them. It is very difficult to hear we're not perfect. Now I prefer to be with people who will be honest with me and I value their opinions. When electricity meets resistance the first thing that occurs is a heat buildup. I can see some acquaintances getting hot under their collars when a little resistance is put in their paths. Truthful comments elicit a heat buildup in them too. Why does this phenomenon happen? Well I think it's because we all have this image of ourselves. Unfortunately, it is isn't a real image. It is marred with pride, denial, and an inability to hear things about themselves. I have found that I don't know how others see me. What do I really look like to other people. Frightening as it may be I want to know. In the years I have left I want to know what others see me as. I want to change that image if it is no so perfect. Possible? Yes! Easy? No!

Making Up crap

I do believe everything does happen for a reason and people do end up where they belong. Teachers and parents often question the future success of a child. They wonder, sometimes out loud, what could this unmotivated kid end up doing with their lives. My long years of having taught high school proved to me that everyone does find their niche in life. They do get motivated and have great, productive lives. Me, I always seem to find jobs that do fit me well. You see I have that God given gift of making up crap. It has taken many long, hard years to hone this talent. Now it is almost perfected. I have recently started volunteering at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. We rehab injured sea turtles and then release them back to the ocean. What do I know about turtles? Turtle soup, tortoise and the hare, cool sunglasses. Yeah, not much. So this is perfect. When the guests come in to see the turtles I sometimes act as a docent. Hallelujah! I get to make up crap about the turtles. You can say anything to anyone as long as you make it sound authentic and real. Here I try to stay close to the facts, the few I do know. My wife does have me pegged though. She knows I make up crap all the time. She even sent me a card about it. Pretty funny! I would like to think this is just a sign of getting old like the movie "Big Fish". But no. It's me. I am a crap maker upper and I don't see me stopping.