REALM OF REALITY

by Toneeke Henderson

I want to first take a moment to thank Michigan Avenue School for finding a solution to the poor situation of parking on the grave yard. It seems someone was nice enough to allow the use of, or donate, a field with ample parking for those who wish to attend festivities at the school. Thank you who ever you were. I know that it will help to increase the turn outs there as well. You were an Angel of a blessing.

This is the time which we are all supposed to be thankful for everything we possess. My family are thankful all year round that we are a family and what we possess is the greatest love of all, and we have a Turkey Dinner just like at Thanksgiving a couple of extra times a year, just to express that gratitude for our lives.

Now I want to say to all parents. I know you love your children or at least you should. There is a sort of "etiquette" that goes along with being a parent. I want to ask the lady in the Wally World store why she parked her buggy in the main isle with her child in the seat unattended so she could view magazines. Geeza Peas lady, someone could have snatched your child and you may never have seen it again. I don't believe the people who put the magazine there would be concerned that you chose to concentrate on the latest craft or romance issues rather then your child. You know how this world is today, with missing children; take some concern there will you.

The other lady who was not annoyed by her daughter's spoiled brat

syndrome, seemingly didn't care that the little girl was screaming with a fake cry to tell her mommie she WANTED a particular item; she almost turned that buggy over three times. I stood there long enough to see if the woman would correct her. Nope. I hear parents barter with their kids and people wonder why kids are getting to be ruder and more demanding and defiant against parental practice.

OK, this may be a pick on Wally World or the Parents issue. Other people don't always bring to light those very things that are so needed for attention. Have you ever noticed that the clothes you buy from Wal-Mart have that ""grease"" smell from the eating places in there. I guess everyone washes their new clothes or should, but sometimes that grease smell never goes away. I want everyone to know also that only yesterday I went and purchased some items from Wal-Mart. I bought a bottle of Niacin and on the package it says do not take if seal under lid is broken or missing. Guess what, my seal was missing. I also was purchasing some baby needs for a baby shower coming up, one of which was Vaseline, I always check everything. I opened that container up and someone had conveniently scooped a healthy two finger scoop out of it. It is  such a pain that there are such rude people out there.

I have just about had my last crazy moments at Wal-Mart. The smaller stores are more courteous. If you are looking for something, someone's always glad to help you. Wally World forget to tell their customer, who may be trying to locate the toilet paper or cleaners that were on isle 10 in the cold drink section, have now moved to isle 3 next to the dog food on the middle section in the front of the store. You also have to watch those great sale items.... mmmhm, that means the dates on the eggs may be just a tad bit ready to be ripe, and if you didn't know it, eggs do go bad (trust me on that one). So anyway I just wanted to expand some thinking on that one. Oh, and by the way, my husband and I had found a ladies pocket book in the parking lot of Wal-Mart about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I hope you received it back. It was in a buggy and we took it to the service desk without looking in it and just hope they called you to come and get it. After all security cameras can always tell what people are doing inside and outside of that establishment. We sure hope they returned it to you.

A friend of mine told me of an event where she had been in a local eating establishment (a local pizza & sub place near the south end of town) and the person who seemed like they were in charge, was yelling at an employee, degrading this person in front of the customers. Can you imagine how this must have made this person feel. There is a time and a place for such corrections if it is deemed necessary. If I were that person I would have walked out and said "take it to the bank bubba". That person however, was related to the screaming demon. You hope that person didn't live in the same house with them, can you imagine the strain or spiritual corruption it could place on such an impressionable young soul. I shriek at that thought. I wonder if his father yelled at him as well. Maybe they will get a glimpse of a bad cycle of issues and read the following Poem that has been around for ages.

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice.
If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.

ROAD RULES

I reside in McMinn county and a friend of mine who has small children called me for assistance. There has been a few extra cars in the neighborhood. They evidently don't know what driving slow is. She called the county for a road sign that warns of small children playing. She was told "no, you cannot put one up." Rather than her getting angry at whoever would be on the ticket. I decided to call the road division for McMinn County but no one was there to answer the phone. So after three days I decided to call Bradley County Safety Maintenance Director, Doug Hughes. He was most informative.

I told him why I was calling and I know that I am concerned about McMinn county but since I couldn't reach the person over signs there, would he care to explain it from Bradley County's side, to put light on the subject. He did just that. It seems about six years ago, Tennessee State government notified all counties to remove the "slow - children at play" signs due to the fact that they were actually illegal. The State noted that in some way it gave parents the idea to think that it was OK to have kids playing in the streets. Children I know do play in the street, but it is against the law. And this will surprise you as well. If there is not a speed limit already posted in the county, even in the subdivisions, then technically the speed limit is 45 mph. Shocking isn't it (remember though, this is Bradley County that confirmed this part, McMinn may be different).

However, I did ask about limited sight distance signs. Now that is what we need in the county in severe areas. If we could get whatever signs were deemed appropriate for our county areas, would anyone pay attention to them anyway? Most people never even notice signs.

If you have a question or are in need of someone to explain what can and cannot be done in your area, feel free to call Doug Hughes at his office, 476-0506. He is more then welcome to help and was very nice to talk to. Thank you Doug.

JUST A MOMENT TO CHUCKLE

I have to share with you a small bit of laughter. My sister Deb, who lives in Wyoming has met a young lady named Naomi who seems to have taken a liking to shop at her primitives business. She reminds my sister of me hanging around, just a lil' whacko but not a lot. (wink) Anyway, this young lady, who is of Mormon faith, had ended up in a divorce situation. She is such a flittering free spirit that, well, she is just a breath of fresh air. Her wit will have you in stitches at any given moment. Naomi had purchased a chest for her sister from my sister Deb. So she called her sister to tell her that she had found one for her. Naomi told her sister she would have to come and pick it up. So the sister decided to have her parents drive her to get it but she didn't show up.

Concerned, Naomi called her sister and the  reason was, that their truck had broken down along the way. So she told my sister Deb what happened and Deb asked her, "Naomi doesn't any one of them have triple AAA". Naomi stood silent for a moment and looked at Deb and in total innocence replied, "why would they need batteries?". Now you go figure that one.

OK so to sum up my expanded lung filled brain, I can only say; Wally world may be low on price but can be very un-nerving at times also. Check your products while you're at the store as opposed to having to bring them back. Don't risk your life on a missing label or seal on a bottle.
Parents, love your children and teach them love. Know that your child is a precious gift that should not be left unattended.

If you are going to yell or degrade someone ((which you shouldn't do)) especially if they are related to you, please wait till you're in a private place and don't have to try to impress the world with the thought that you are superior, because you are not. (Read the poem it says a lot.)
Finally what is a sign if it doesn't make a difference. What is a difference if we don't try. Laughter can create sunshine and sunshine can create light. Light will illuminate us all, if we only share our laughter. Or use triple AAA batteries.... I only can laugh.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.