Saturday, April 23, 2011

Kids, What's the Matter With Kids Today


When my brother was in high school his class did a school musical. It was my first real "show" and I am still amazed at how much I remember about it. The musical was Bye Bye Birdie and it completely rocked my world. One of my favorite songs from the production was originally sung by Paul Lynde in the movie who played the role of Harry MacAfee entitled "What's the Matter With Kids Today". It had a catchy tune, hilarious words and what I thought as a child, a very silly meaning.

I found myself singing that song tonight, and the meaning didn't seem so silly to me anymore.

Have I become Harry MacAfee? I've spent the evening collecting my real estate signs kids have stolen from houses and placed in other yards all over town, only to be topped off with a call from the Marietta Police Department about a vacant house. What IS the matter with some of these kids today? It makes me cringe at what our world is turning into. Such disrespect for others and others' property.

I realize that each generation evolves, but I find it interesting to see how manners have UN-evolved. Excuse me for a minute for some history. Take the G.I. Generation (born 1912-1927) for instance. Hard work, self reliance, respect for authority and civic obligation are characteristics of this generation. The next changeover, the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945), this group includes my parents, is said to have been concerned more with being cautious and conventional, women started to desire a family AND a career. Then there are our Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964). Known for being goal oriented, work-centric, affected by strong political events either drawing them closer to social causes or perhaps driving them away and creating distrust, however this generation is responsible for so many individual freedoms like civil rights, feminist cause, gay rights, privacy rights and handicapped rights. They were a busy group making changes.

When we get to Generations X and Y it is frustrating to experience the vast differences of ourselves and the GI Generation and how far we've fallen when it comes to manners. What kind of children are our generations raising as a whole? What values and morals are being emphasized? WHO is raising our children? Why is it that so many of the grandparents of today are raising their children's children? What is going wrong?

As I mentioned, I received a call from the Police Department about a group of children vandalizing one of our company's listings. The children had been caught thankfully before too much damage was done, and I was asked to come to the property to determine what fate was to become of the children. It was quite a diverse group. Some sincerely sorry for what they'd done, some indifferent and emotionless, others actually brazen enough to laugh about what was happening. With charges of vandalism, trespassing and littering facing them, they were willing to accept responsibility when I gave them the option of restitution for what they had done versus charging them and sending them up to juvenile hall. This was a chance for them to make good for their actions and hopefully learn a lesson.

Who would actually show up?

What I experienced next confirmed my theory of our social deterioration from generation to generation. I witnessed a 75 year old grandfather bring his grandchildren as well as tools and material to make sure they did their job and to "make right what they did wrong". It is important to note that this gentleman was ON TIME. These children are very fortunate to have a grandfather who is doing all he can to guide their paths while it is apparant their actual parents are not. Another child was there with his father and grandfather and ready to do what needed to be done, and had actually shown up early. On the other end of the spectrum I got to witness just why the troubles exist with some of these children. Little to no adult supervision from their parents, starved for attention and forced to be taking care of themselves at too young of an age. Not all of the children showed up. That was a disappointment. Even when given the opportunity to "take the right path", some children still choose to refuse it, and the parent isn't there to make them.

Too much. Too soon. Too fast.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Blossoms in the Breeze


As we rest in our room for an afternoon break, I am listening to the snores emanating from my dear mother (she will not be happy that I shared that with you) and was inspired to write a quick post while I am in our great nation’s capitol. There have been many reasons to bring my mother on this pilgrimage to Washington, DC, many that some folks might find surprising.

Firstly, my mother has always wanted to see the cherry blossoms on the Tidal Basin. As a girl growing up I can remember around Easter time every year she would get the new Ideals magazine. Quickly leafing through the pages together to the issue’s colorful scene of the Jefferson Memorial and the flowering trees we would be in awe. Every spring issue was guaranteed a cherry blossom spread. She would look at me with a big smile and say “wouldn’t that be something to see?!” And indeed it was. And we finally saw the real thing… together.

Secondly, my mother is an amazing letter-writer. She has written letters to our politicians and community leaders, to missionaries overseas, to strangers in need, to our military soldiers, to scores of people for a multitude of reasons. Maybe concern, or support, others for questions about decisions being made, whatever the reason, the power in her pen has been mighty. It pleased me greatly to watch her face light up as we explored the halls of the Library of Congress and the National Archives. There, at her fingertips were letters that created a country, letters that expressed the deepest of concerns, and letters that made a difference.

Thirdly, my mother is very patriotic. Most likely the most patriotic person I know next to my father. The drums and brass of John Philip Sousa can be found in her boom box any day of the week. The Pledge of Allegiance at the raising of her porch flag, Veteran’s Day parades and services in the cemetery, wearing poppies, memorizing patriotic verses, believing in everything the United States stands for, and supporting our troops and their families.

Finally, a trip to DC because every now and again, we two girls need to escape together. A mother-daughter out of town trip where we can talk non-stop, eat yummy food, go exciting places, indulge ourselves and just act plain silly. As the colder weather pushed through today with winds of 30 miles per hour, the beautiful white blossoms we came to see were floating through the air, like a soft, delicate snow of petals. Just as the blossoms were departing, so would we in the morning.

I am thinking back on our past three days and all of the wonderful sights, smells and sounds we have experienced.

There have been so many memories made and smiles shared. My favorite memory of this trip though will be of my beautiful mother, looking out over the Basin to the Jefferson Memorial, taking off her scarf and letting her white hair blow in the wind. Giving herself the freedom to be a blossom in the breeze.