Sometimes you just want to say something nice about somebody

I initially thought to write an essay about the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech but I changed my mind, thinking that the media is covering that one to death – no pun intended.

I again considered writing about the run for the Presidency but opted not to because with a little over a year away, the playing field will change dramatically.

I even pondered what should be done to help the lost male members of our American society, the ones that are aimless, lacking ethics, and helping to overpopulate the nation’s prisons.

All these thoughts changed when did some early morning shopping at the local Wal-Mart.

As I was getting out of my car, I saw a grandmother with her grandchild. They were just sitting in their car, awaiting the return of some other family member, perhaps the child’s mother. Grandmother was singing away, much to the delight of the youngster, who appeared to be no older than two years of age. The bond between the two was unmistakable and truly loving.

I could only smile and feel that all was right with the world.

I started thinking about my own parents and how they possess the same attraction and affection for their grandchildren. They, like all other caring and devoted grandparents, are performing double duty, providing guidance for the generation that followed their own children.

And, for that, I can only smile and feel that all is right with the world.

I then thought of a friend of mine that is the mother of what is categorized as an “exceptional child.” Her child is in his early twenties and will require “assistance” for possibly the rest of his life. She herself has had to deal with her own physical ailments but she has not let that stand in the way of her dedication to her only child. She is a remarkable woman and words cannot express how much I admire her.

She shall remain nameless, for now, but she knows that I’m referring to her.

And when I think of her, I can only smile and feel that all is right with the world.

As I was looking at some pictures that I had taken of members of my church, I came upon one that caused me to pause: it was a dear friend that recently lost her husband. Not only has she had to suffer the pain of separation from her spouse of several decades, she had to deal with the death of a son some years ago and the recent hospitalization of one of her daughters.

Yet, every time that I see her, there’s a warmth and genuine sincerity that others could only wish that they possessed.

She, too, shall remain nameless, but anyone that knows her should know that I speak the truth.

And when I think of her, I smile and think that all is right with the world.

Finally, one of my students asked me if I was really going to retire at the end of the school year. I gave her an affirmative response. She then asked if another co-worker was going to work at another school. I gave the same answer as was given to the earlier question. The girl said, “Dog! All the good old teachers were leaving.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her innocence in calling me a “good, OLD teacher!”

And that, too, made me feel that all was right with the world.

So, what’s my point in the scenarios that I just presented?

When it appears that society is going to Hades in a hand basket, one need only look at and listen to the people around you.

In a world of ugliness, there’s a lot of beauty to be found there.

I find mine daily.