In article <pqd1n5lum86lrm5hfc2jkrbumfilc3rnia@4ax.com>, NP-f31 wrote:
> On 8 Feb 2010 16:44:02 -0600, " +Grant. " <+Grant@grant.grant> wrote:
>
> >In article <3f2nm5psp2uun49nam47792u93umh43lck@4ax.com>, NP-f31 wrote:
> >
> >> People used to share things like this in The Fort all the time, but
> >> these days folks seldom do.
> >>
> >> I have been having an e-mail conversation about what being a
> >> boylover means to me with one of the new boys in my life. Something
> >> happened yesterday that is a perfect illustration of what it means to
> >> me and how I deal with it. I shared this with him and I wanted to
> >> share it with you too as this is something that probably happens to
> >> all of us, but we don't talk about it. I wanted to see if others had
> >> similar experiences.
> >>
> >> I was doing some grocery shopping yesterday at Walmart. I was in an
> >> aisle and there was a lot of congestion. As I waited I rolled up
> >> behind a mom and her (probably) four year old son. He was a
> >> beautiful little fellow with a bored expression on his face, it was
> >> bordering on melancholy. Mom was preoccupied and he was sort of
> >> looking around for something of interest to stimulate him. I was
> >> right in front of him on the other side of my cart. I waited until
> >> he looked at me, which he eventually did, and I gave him my
> >> biggest, broadest boysmile. It's that unique smile that I reserve only
> >> for boys, it sort of says 'you're special' to the boy with whom I
> >> share it. He was looking at me and the smile registered on his
> >> face, I could see him begin to understand that I was paying
> >> attention to HIM. As this realization occurred he responded with
> >> the warmest, most genuine, happy expression I've ever seen. His
> >> little face lit up! And the joy in his smile literally made my
> >> heart jump. It was not only the reaction I'd hoped for, it went
> >> beyond that. In that moment we connected. His Mom, at this point,
> >> got behind her cart (they call them buggies down here) and took off
> >> in the general direction I was heading. He immediately went from
> >> one side to the other to look around her and maintain eye contact with
> >> me. I gave him a little wave and began to follow them now that the way
> >> was open. He grinned and waved back, clearly enjoying having a
> >> playmate. As I reached the intersection a cart came from left to right
> >> at speed and I had to wait to follow. Once I cleared the perpendicular
> >> aisle, I lost track of my buddy. Then I saw him off to my right and
> >> ahead of me. He was craning his body to keep me in sight. They
> >> passed a display rack in the middle of one of the wide aisles and
> >> he lifted up to look over so he could see me. He and his Mom were
> >> now going the exact wrong way from where I needed to go. I debated
> >> shadowing them for a bit longer, but decided that it would be the
> >> wrong thing to do. I caught one last glimpse of him as I turned
> >> left and I lifted my hand to wave and he was gone. I continued to
> >> keep an eye out for him as I completed my shopping, but I didn't
> >> see him. I still had a warm feeling from the sweet expression on
> >> his face. I had made him feel good for a moment and he made my day.
> >>
> >> Isn't it amazing what a simple smile can do? Please share your boy
> >> moments.
> >>
> >> Stay Safe,
> >>
> >> Doc
> >> NP-f31
> >
> >
> >Good post.
> >
> >It works different for me. I atomically get kids attention if any of my
> >assistive hardware is visible. They stare and ask what is that? Their
> >parents are embarrassed and tell the kids not to stare. I give them a
> >big smile and tell them its ok and tell them its to help me because I
> >was hurt in the Army and there are still problems but it doesn't hurt
> >anymore. Parents are very nice about it then. I shake hands with them
> >all and we say nice things to each other like "thank you for your
> >service" and "your kids are very nice you must be proud of them" and I
> >joke with the kids. There is a little problem will untethered toddlers
> >who grab for things but I joke I need it more than they do.
> >
> >Grant
>
>
> Hi Grant,
>
> I expect it would be a bit different, having your equipment would be
> like a 'toddler magnet. The way you handle it is graceful and also an
> effective way to show children (and their parents) that curiosity is
> not a bad thing AND that that having special equipment that helps you
> function is nothing to be ashamed about. I think you'd be more than
> correct in saying that your equipment doesn't make you different, it
> makes you 'special'. And not in a short yellow bus kind of way. ;)
>
> And one more thing Grant. I've said it before and I'll say it again.
>
> Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
>
> Respectfully,
>
> Doc
> NP-f31
You're welcome.
Please let me disagree a little. I think everybody is special each in
his/her/tran way. But I have to think young people are more special
because they still have the ability to build who they want to be, if
only they knew it.
Toddler magnet is right! Get two of them and I'm the object of a
tug-of-war! LOL
Sorry I misspelled "atomically". My spell checker should have caught
that. I don't know why it didn't. This time I made a special effort to
write right. Correctly, too?
I have more stories to write and post. Want to know about the first
time my Dad tried to fry a turkey? For Christmas? In the snow? Would it
spoil the ending to tell you I didn't die? LOL There are more Stevie
adventures. Is anybody interested? Is this a good time to post them?
Take care
Grant
--
Grant
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