Personal Honor
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when they receive validation for the way they are living, or, have lived, that life. These moments are usually quiet ones, with no fanfare celebrating the occasion. Yet, the importance of these moments has no equal. To those of us who have given of our time, our love, our care, ourselves, they are of far greater private, personal significance, than can be stated.
A few years ago, I found myself in a personally trying situation. It was during this period that I was paid what I feel will be the finest compliment I shall ever receive. It concerned my conduct during this time. My eldest daughter remarked that she believed me to be the most honorable person she would ever know. For me, as a parent, it was a defining moment.
I was blessed with another such moment recently, courtesy of my eldest grandson. Although he's a teenager now, we maintain the close relationship begun in his early years. We enjoy conversing. No subject is taboo, and he feels free to discuss whatever is of interest to him, or of concern. On this particular occasion, he was endeavoring to put into words, his feelings concerning something that was of great importance to him. By his demeanor, his urgency of voice, I realized this was something with which he had been struggling.
He began by seeking my opinion. What did I think of people who were always changing? Well, I remarked, in life, it's good to remain flexible. Narrow-minded thinking limits a person's potential. He shook his head. No, he wasn't talking about that. He said he realized a person must have an open mind. He was speaking of how people live their lives. I listened to him, as he continued endeavoring to impart his meaning to me. Suddenly the meaning dawned on me. I asked if he were talking about personal honor. Was he referring to the personal rules of conduct we adopt for ourselves, the morals we choose? Yes, he replied, that was it exactly! Why, he wanted to know, did people sometimes abandon these? Wasn't that like not being true to yourself? Didn't they feel bad about themselves? Wasn't that like letting your self down?
I looked at this young man, this human being for whom I feel so much love, and chose my next words with great care. Yes, son, I said to him, it's letting your self down. Choosing actions that go against your personal code of honor diminishes you, as a human being. Even during the most trying times in life, especially during those times, remaining true to your self is of utmost importance. Even when certain actions are perfectly acceptable to others, or when they seem to be the easier choices, or when said actions may in some way benefit you in the short term. In the end, if they go against your core beliefs, you will carry the ill consequences with you, for the rest of your life.
He listened intently to my words. I could see him weighing them, mulling over the concept. He then nodded, and replied that yes, he understood. He went on to say that there were things he felt he would not, could not do, and stay true to himself. He stated what I had told him was like when a person does something wrong, and even if no one else ever knows, the person who does the act carries the guilt of it. He remarked that he hoped he would be strong enough, in life, to never let him self down. I replied that I had great faith in the fact that he would indeed, have enough strength. He smiled, and said, I love you Grams. In a voice touched with deep pride, and sincere affection, I replied that I was rather fond of him, too.
There are moments, in the lives of parents and grandparents...
Jeannine Schenewerk is a freelance writer residing in Atlanta, Georgia. She maintains an informative, upbeat site for mature women at: http://www.intouchwithjeannine.com
 Google News Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:05:17 GMT Boeing workers frustrated, angry at strike delay - Reuters
Reuters - By Laura Myers EVERETT, Washington (Reuters) - Less than a day after voting to strike, Boeing workers expressed frustration and anger on Thursday at the decision by union leaders to postpone a walkout and negotiate further with the company. Boeing, Machinists Return to Talks to Avert Strike (Update1) SPEEA Supports IAM 751 Efforts to Secure a New Contract from Boeing Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:30:58 GMT Abramoff Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Corruption - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Del Quentin Wilber and Carrie Johnson Jack Abramoff, the onetime powerhouse Republican lobbyist whose influence peddling led to one of the biggest public corruption investigations in recent history, was sentenced by a federal judge today to four ... US lobbyist is sentenced to 4 years in prison Abramoff sentenced to 4 years in prison Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:47:01 GMT Syria details its stance on peace talks - Ha'aretz
Ha'aretz - By Yoav Stern and Barak Ravid Syrian President Bashar Assad revealed details on the peace process with Israel yesterday, presenting Turkey with a document of principles, one of whose points discusses the desired extent of the withdrawal from the Golan ... Video: Sarkozy in Syria : the press is divided Syria: Israeli Peace Talks Postponed Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:53:30 GMT McCain Will Vow an End to Partisanship in Convention Speech - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Chris Cillizza ST. PAUL, MINN. - Sen. John McCain will take the stage at the Xcel Center here in less than three hours to formally accept his party's presidential nomination and deliver an address that will kick-start a frenetic two-month general ... McCain will take GOP to task for losing its way McCain to Declare ‘Change Is Coming’ in Acceptance Speech Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:06:30 GMT Autism and measles vaccine: no link found -- again - Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times - Suspicion that autism is triggered by childhood vaccinations -- notably the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine -- lingers on, even though studies repeatedly fail to find such a link. Study Finds No Autism Link in Vaccine Health Buzz: MMR Vaccine and Autism, and Other Health News Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:25:11 GMT Deaths Heighten Arthritis Drugs Warning - WebMD
WebMD - By Miranda Hitti Sept. 4, 2008 -- The FDA today ordered stronger warnings about the risk of potentially deadly fungal infections, especially one called histoplasmosis, in people taking the drugs Cimzia, Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade, which are called ... FDA Demands Tougher Warnings on Immunosuppressive Drugs FDA orders stronger warnings for 4 arthritis drugs Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:30:49 GMT Evacuations Are Advised as Storm Nears the Southeast - New York Times
New York Times - By ROBBIE BROWN ATLANTA - As Tropical Storm Hanna surged toward the Atlantic Coast on Thursday, the authorities declared states of emergency in Virginia and North Carolina and recommended evacuation from some coastal regions of South Carolina. Hanna May Reach Hurricane Force; Ike Looms Out at Sea (Update4) Southeast braces for Hanna as Ike strengthens Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:19:19 GMT Display RSS Feeds on Your Website |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... When it comes to exams, or indeed any academic work,... Read More It's funny how people seem to think that they have... Read More Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More "Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More Until the moment I became a mother, I couldn't quite... Read More Once upon a time, I thought I had it all.... Read More Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More 'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More Time devoted the better part of an issue to it.... Read More Is your weekly shopping trip with the kids an absolute... Read More How bad is the illegal drug problem here in the... Read More "To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More In a single dose of children's television, I was bombarded... Read More 'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More "There is nothing new under the sun," states Ecclesiastes 1:9.... Read More Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More As Mother's Day approaches I would like to give a... Read More I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More Q. What's the right age to start giving a Bible... Read More
Adsense
websites
Exams Cause Stress For Parents Too
The Thing with Quality Time
Honey I Can?t Afford The Kids
Parenting Your Teenager: Driving and Having a Car is a Privilege, Not a Right
How to Raise Creative Kids
The Best and Worst of Motherhood
The Long Journey Home
Want To Further Your Childrens Studies?
Pet Loss Can Be Just As Devastating!
How Effective is the Nutraceutical ATTEND with ADHD?
Grandparents --- Homeschool Your Grandchildren and Feel Younger
Teaching Your Child Safety
Overscheduled Kids
Shopping with Children
Illegal and Legal Drug Usage in the United States
Build Character Now! Practical Tools for Busy Parents
Mutants or Clones?
How To Live With Your Teenagers Untidy Room
Nurtured by Love or Matured by Nature?
Visiting the Library
Mothers Day Tribute
Whine Oh Whine Am I The Only One?
How Effective Are Ritalin and Dexedrine in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD?
Effective Troubled Teen Programs
Theres Never a Bad Time To Start Helping To Spread The Word of God
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Time, Stress, and a Baby
The main thing we noticed since having a baby is... Read More
True Romance for Couples with Kids: 10 Inexpensive Ideas
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
Parenting
This article on parenting is by a practicing relationship counsellor/therapist,... Read More
My Sweet Little Valentine
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
Childhood Friendships
Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary... Read More
Teaching Kids to Read
We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More
Alias: Aptitude
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
Some Tips for Healthy Parenting
Looking back through my files I've come across several great... Read More
Taking Home Souvenirs, Not Junk
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
How Can I Teach My Child To Be Responsible?
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
Picky Eater Syndrome
'Picky Eater' is a label coined to describe the phenomenon... Read More
Parenting Your Teenager: How to End the Curfew Battle
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
Are You Reading to Your Kids?
Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
How Useful Are Bed Wetting Alarms
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
5 Solid Reasons: Why Your Child Can Be An Achiever
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
When Your Chicks Leave the Nest
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
Labor of Love
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
Picky Eater Kid Nutritional Guidelines
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
Is Your Discipline Damaging the Spirit of the Child?
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
Parenting Secrets Revealed
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
Time To Connect With Your Teen
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
Managing Your Stepfamily
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know... Read More
Whats Mine Is Mine
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Back to School Care Packages!
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
Unschooling - the Benefits of Home Based Education
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
Parenting |