Be Kind

If there's one thing I ever teach my kids, it is to be mindful of other's feelings. I think this is something that I have always done, or tried to do, my whole life, and I want my kids to be observant and to see when someone needs their love or friendship. I think I have succeeded when it comes to handicapped people or people with disabilities. My kids are very compassionate and I have never heard them once make fun of someone "different", only to be concerned or ask what is wrong with them. Call me crazy, but I cringe when I hear people use the word "retarded". Even if it's meant in fun, it makes me sad. Wanna know why? Well I have an older sister, my eldest sister actually, who is mentally retarded, and I love her to pieces. People who make fun of mentally challenged people need a slap in the face and are just plain mean. So I am very defensive of my sister, and anyone else with challenges, and can't even tolerate the word "retarded." I also don't tolerate my kids calling someone "fat". Even if it's for fun. It sounds mean. I don't want my kids growing up saying mean things. I know we've heard this a million times, but, would Jesus talk like that? I have to often ask myself this in the things that I say.

This all brings me to Pierce's playoff basketball games last night. Monday they won their first playoff game. We were surprised and happy. It was a close game. Last night, he won his second playoff game and I have never screamed so much in my entire life. Again, it was a close call with lots of yelling and screaming the whole way through and not just from me. Lots of fun. These 2 wins qualified them to play the final playoff game. Which they didn't win. And it was okay. They played hard and did their best and they handled the loss very well. Except for when the other team (who had never lost a game either), when doing the little hand slap they always do at the end of the game to say "good game" with eachother, when walking by Pierce and some of his teammates, called them "losers" and laughed at them. Ouch. That hurts. Tears came and feelings were hurt. What a horrible thing to say. So on the drive home I turned this into a learning experience and had a long talk with my 3 kids who were with me (Gwen was at home doing homework and Ryan is out-of-town) about feelings and to think of how others might feel before we say something hurtful. We knew what it was like to be on the receiving end. We don't ever want to be the ones doing the name calling and hurting others. Pierce was in tears most of the way home. He was so sweet to me and thanked me for supporting him. He also said "I love you mom" and reached over to me for some kind of comfort. What a precious moment. I think this was one learning experience he will never forget, and that my folks, is what life is all about.