A blog about Family & Home.
Real Name: Heather Ijames Member Since: May 29, 2007 Last Signed In: June 24, 2009 Profile Views: 590 Blog Views: 995 First Day Funny So Says Solomon Call Yourself a Parent Utterly Unspeakable Nostalgia Thank You Northwest Voice IF I Ever Have Children To My Youngest Child Beautiful Things The Gender Card May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 . 
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The Failure to Act
I opened a door for a woman with a walker the other day at the courthouse after I realized she was pushing the handicapped automatic opening button with no success. As I held the door open for her, I noticed two disturbing details about the scene around us. One, there were two security guards and a sheriff’s deputy only a few feet away on the inside of the building watching her push the button like it was a scene on television, but not moving an inch to lend a hand. And two, there was a group of five middle aged adults a few feet from the outside of the doors, who were caucusing on how poorly the courthouse allocates its funds because they could not fix a simple button to help an innocent little old lady into the courthouse. Talking about it, but not actually helping anyone.
I was wondering who the bigger culprit was. The men trained to protect and serve who actually just sit and stare, or the civilians who are too busy blaming others than lifting a finger themselves. But, rather than spending time figuring it out, I was grateful I was taught well enough to spring forward to help someone in need without hesitation.
When I was younger, my grandfather watched me in the afternoons while I waited for my parents to come home from work. I bring this up because he was the one who taught me well in these regards. The man had seen it all. Born and raised in wartime Greece, came over to Ellis Island without most of his family, and made money bootlegging booze from over the Canadian border during the Prohibition. He also swore to me his brother was a part of the lesser known Detroit based Greek Mafia and would often remind me that the most loved job of his life was being a florist.
He would have lectured me for hours if he had seen me be one of the many standing by not opening the door for the woman. He taught me mercilessly that you aren’t worth anything if you don’t do anything. Thus, may I suggest that the failure to act is a failure to care; and the failure to care is why we all normally have something to wake up and complain about. The solution is within us. On three now: one, two, three…ACT!
4 comments from 3 users
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posted by
sunnica
on Apr 21, 2008 at 06:52 AM
It's also a deposit into your Karma bank -- and a deduction from theirs. IMO (in my opinion) posted by
bdparn
on Apr 19, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Well said. A somewhat lengthier rendition of what was recorded centuries ago: To whom much is given, much is required. Opening a door for someone doesn't seem like "much," but fortunes are made up of single dollar bills. posted by
dweaver3
on Apr 18, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Your grandpa sounds like a special guy with diverse interests. It sounds like you had a precious relationship with him and that his influence is alive and strong. What an excellent way to honor him!
As for the scene you witnessed at the courthouse, what a shame. How have we as a society become so individually alienated that an obvious need isn't met. It is reassuring to know that people like you are still out there and offer an appropriate example to those who weren't raised to look beyond individual concerns. posted by
sunnica
on Apr 11, 2008 at 07:14 PM
You are quickly becoming one of my favorite people. :) You and that letter i -- (grinning)
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