A Year in the Life

Have you ever been wounded by words?  The times I have I noticed there is a deep physical pain that goes along with them.  To me it's like someone is squeezing your heart so much it hurts.  The worse the betrayal, the harder the squeeze.  The harder the squeeze, the more the heart hardens.  Unfortunately, tears don't loosen the squeeze.  If anything, they make it more apparent.  The hurt is multiplied when a loved one or very close friend is the one that utters (or writes) the words. The three times I can think of hearing (or seeing) hurtful things have been by accident.  I don't know if the people who said them didn't think I would find out, or if they just didn't care, but I can tell you each time it has made me feel like I've been shattered into a thousand pieces.  I know I am opinionated.  I know I am bossy and like things a certain way.  I know I may seem tough and calloused, but inside I'm really not. If you could see insi...

A little preface...this is not about my children today.  They have been great!  It's dealing with others outside the fam.  And now...on with the show. You know, I'm so  tired of dealing with people who have an entitlement attitude.  You do things for them and they keep wanting more.  There's no thankfulness, there's just a wondering of what is coming next.  (and they want it to be bigger and better)  Because this attitude has metastasized throughout today's society, I find myself wanting to give a manners lesson to children and parents alike.  (or maybe become a hermit...right now it's a toss up) Let me tell  you what I learned growing up.   When someone gives you something or does something nice for you, you will look them in the eye and say 'thank you'; whether you like what it is or not.   You will write thank you notes.  Your thank you notes are not to be three sentences that restate the same thing.  The...