Dear Reader Column 04-28-08

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Dear Reader,

One of the things I have to keep in check is that sometimes I think other people should do things my way. My way might be the perfect way for me, but it's not necessarily the right way for somebody else and whenever I need a reminder, I think of my Aunt Florence.

I love my aunt dearly, but most people describe her as an overemotional and dramatic woman because of the way she reacts to things. It's true, drama and my aunt seem to travel hand-in-hand, but most of the time it's not her fault. My aunt knows her limits, but for some reason people don't want to believe her when she tells them, "It would be better if I didn't."

When my father died Aunt Florence announced that she wouldn't be able to handle going to her brother's funeral. Instead, she offered to stay at my parent's house and take care of the children and she said that if someone stopped by to drop off a casserole (like they do in small towns) that she'd be there to greet them. It was a job that someone needed to do and it made her feel good to know that she'd be doing something in honor of her brother.

"But you'll regret it later," the relatives told Aunt Florence. "You have to go to the funeral, it wouldn't be right for you to miss the service."

Florence tried her best to make them understand, but everyone insisted that at least before the casket was closed, she needed to see her brother one last time to say good-bye. So my aunt finally agreed and she did go to the funeral home. But shortly after she arrived my aunt collapsed and they had to call an ambulance.

"Oh, you know Florence," the relatives were commenting, "there she goes again being all emotional." But the truth is they didn't know Florence. She knew the best way for her to honor her brother, but they had their own ideas and refused to listen.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

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Comments

[Doris]

A good reminder that we are all different and need to be able to accept and celebrate our differences - and remember "different - not deficient" - sound familiar? - (quote from Rev. Wright from his NAACP speech yesterday) -

I always enjoy your Dear Reader columns , Suzanne -

[Kuma-chan]

That is just unfair. Calling her emotional, when they placed her in a situation that she didn't want to be in because she knew she would be like this.

(Thank goodness I do not know them. As I, as of yet, do not have the finesse in the art of holding back my temper, I'd probably yell at them.)

We all need little reminders that we are not always right, and our decisions don't work for others...