Of the people twittering behind us!
I got a nice surprise today when my husband called to tell me he would be home for his 36 hour reset. He made it home with seven minutes to spare before his clock ran out. The grand kids were thrilled to see him when they got home from school. A bonus was tonight was a spring concert for the third fourth and fifth graders at the school. He does not make it home very often, maybe twice a month, so when this happens it is a treat for everyone. Before the concert started my husband was able to get a few minor things done on the farm, but would not take a chance on being late for the concert, so he quit early, excited to see the performance. Being blessed with many grandchildren we were lucky enough to have four of them in this program. Two from one family and two from another, which made it that much more special.
We got to the school in plenty of time to find some good seats up in the balcony. At this vantage point we could see all three grades clearly, not missing out on seeing any of the four children. We sat with my son, daughter-in-law, and their children that were not in the musical, and my daughter and some of her children found their way to the seats in front of us. They were surprised to see my husband there as this was not a scheduled visit home. We were all excited to be at the musical and to spend time in each other’s company. The music started and the kid’s enthusiasm radiated clear up into the balcony. They were giving it everything they had with their singing and their actions to go along with the songs.
We were suddenly distracted by this annoying hum of twittering words behind us. I turned my head to see two ladies, one on one level bleacher the other on another level, just chatting away. I don’t think I would’ve been so annoyed if they were whispering instead of talking in normal tones, not even trying to be courteous. What they had to say to each other must have been more important than their child’s performance. But I can guarantee you it was not more important than my grandchild’s performance! The more they talked the more annoyed I got, for several reasons: the first reason would be what their response would be when they got home and their child asked them, “How did I do tonight mommy?” I kept thinking to myself what kind a lie she would tell to cover for the fact she didn’t pay attention to one single song. The second reason was because they were stealing the joy of our paying full attention to the children that worked so hard on this performance. There were plenty of seats in the upper level where the ladies could’ve sat and talked to their hearts content without disturbing anyone. But they sat there with no regard to anyone around them and talked to their hearts content.
I don’t know how many times I wanted to ask them to remove themselves and find a private place to talk. One of the things that held me back was if it would be a good testimony for me to be so petty. Perhaps one of the ladies did have a serious problem and needed to talk, (hopefully not gossiping about someone else,) which is hard to conceive with everyone in the world owning cell phones in this day and age. Another reasons I said nothing was because six of my grandchildren are sitting around me and I wanted to be a good example for them. One of the things that disappointed me the most is the fact that they were so oblivious to how rude they were being. Is this commonplace with this generation? My three-year-old granddaughter who sat in front of me had more manners than the two ladies sitting behind me.
The reason I’m even writing about this is for two reasons. One is to make people aware of just how much talking at inappropriate times can hurt the people around you. The second is to remind myself to let go of petty things like being annoyed at other people. It also reminded me not to do the same thing, and always be courteous to people around me. All in all we had a great time at the concert, the children did a wonderful job, and in a perfect world we could’ve concentrated a little better. The music director outdid herself yet again this spring as she did last fall, which is just one more reason to be courteous and pay attention and appreciate all her hard work.
As parents, what we teach our children, we hope they will carry into adulthood. I could not have been more proud of my six grandchildren sitting around me and their behavior. They laughed at appropriate times, clapped at appropriate times, but most of all sat in their seats and paid attention to what was going on in front of them. Kudos to their parents who have taught them well on how to behave in public. The Bible tells us: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. I am very glad my children taught their children, to be courteous of others.
We as authors rarely touch on etiquette and good manners in our writings. After seeing some of the things posted on the Internet, FB, and other social media, I think these things need to be readdressed. Simple things like men wearing hats in restaurants and churches, and people talking loudly in inappropriate places. This type of behavior would not have been tolerated by my parents, or my husband and I. Have we become such a gauche society? Something to think about.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs 16:28, 20:19, 26:20
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
I Peter 3:10
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 4:29, 5:4