Well, now I know that my readers are the funniest, most encouraging girls I know!! After last week’s post about being referred to as “elderly”, you all came to my defense!! I got such funny and warm encouragement from all your comments – verbal, posted and emails!! One of the funniest was this email:
Subject: Age is in the Eye of the Beholder
I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his DDS diploma, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I rememered a tall, handsome dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 30-odd years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a serious crush on, way back then? Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate. After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended my high school. “Yes, Yes I did. I’m a Mustang!” He gleamed with pride. “When did you graduate?” I asked. He answered, “In 1975. Why do you ask?” “You were in my class!” I exclaimed.
He looked at me closely.
Then that
ugly,
old,
bald,
wrinkled,
gray-haired,
decrepit
**** (oops, can’t say that!)
asked –
“What did you teach?”
Ha Ha!!! Isn’t it true that others (especially kids) age, but we don’t!
I just wanted to add one thing that has been on my mind this past week, with all the comments and jokes. Our patient, who uttered that “elderly” comment really is a very nice man. In fact, every year, he brings a gorgeous poinsetta to our office. For no reason at all, just to be nice.
He just happened to say something the wrong way, and it caused a reaction in me (and in many of you, too!!).
I started thinking about the times that I have said something the wrong way: too short-temptered, too sarcastic, too harsh (especially to my family who deserves the best I can give). Too honest – when it’s better to just say nothing at all. Too quick – better think before speaking (as James says). While sometimes I wish that I had spoken up about something, I find that I have more regrets over things I have said than over things I have left unsaid.
I always told my kids that God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak. Proverbs says that “Even a fool when he keeps silent is considered wise.” The modern version: “Better to be quiet and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!” When we do speak, may it be “seasoned with grace”.
For to be beautiful at any age, it’s what we say and how we say it that really matters.
Susan
Don’t worry mom… I’m only 20 years old and I have people call me old all the time! I’m the oldest out of all my friends, I volunteer at youth group, and teaching a dance school surrounds me youngens every day of my life. They all like to poke fun that I’m old and the big 20.. The thing is everyone is going to be “old” to somebody else.. except for Nana who is 91.. she is just plain old. Love you!
Susan – thanks for that good reminder to think before I speak!