The other day I was sitting in a waiting room after completing my taxes, and through the door came a family with three children. I knew who they were from seeing them come through the bank from time to time. Their whole family is deaf and are a very sweet group of people. The eldest looked to be maybe seven or eight years old. The next was maybe a couple years younger while the littlest, he looked to be about two, just mastering how to walk. They were all giggly and having fun with their two stuffed animals and a small emoji pillow. I could not help but smile while watching them play. The two older girls were tossing the pillow back and forth having a great time while the little boy was exploring and occasionally playing peek-a-boo with me. It made me remember when I was a kid. Enjoying the little things and no matter what toy you had, you could find a way to make it into something extraordinary. Just as they were doing. I also observed how they communicated, of course by sign language I know, but the respect these children had for their parents was refreshing.
When I was younger, if I was in trouble, I was disciplined. There was no question if it was "abuse" or whatever people choose to make up these days. There is a huge difference between the two. If my mom were to even shoot me that look that said "If you don't stop now I'm going to beat your butt later". At that point, you stopped. That was the kind of connection this family had. And they were happy.
Not long later another family came in. They only had one son who had to be around nine or ten years old. There appointment was right away and while the parents went back the mom turning to her son and handed him a tablet. She told him "Here, don't play it too loud, and don't look at anything you shouldn't be watching." I had to shake my head. So right away we have two examples of today's youth. Kids who have been properly disciplined and another family who simply uses objects to get obedience from their kid. I am disappointed in how the world has become so dependant on technology. So this kid is sitting over there playing on the tablet while the two little girls are having a world of fun. The kid on the tablet looks up from time to time complimenting if one of them made a good catch or nice throw. Back in my day, a kid would have sat there until they finally got the courage to ask if they could play too. And really if I am being honest, it would not be about courage, it would be about the wanting to have fun too. I just wish the world could really take the time to reconnect. Not just as families, but as people all together in this world. There needs to be a lot less of social media, or TV watching, and just more social. Go out and see people. Make the most of what you do every day. It could really help change the world and the way we all connect with each other.
