Where are your Manners?

I've kind of lost my faith in humanity. Its sad really. I go about my day and see people just minding their own business not caring about anyone around them. I can't tell you the last time that someone held the door for me or said hello to me in the elevator just because they wanted to be nice. We all just seem to mind our own business and don't want to get involved with the world moving around us.

I'm constantly baffled at the rude behavior that people demonstrate on a daily basis. Is it just me? Am I too sensitive? Let me give you an example:

I was in the mall yesterday and there was a young mother with two small kids. One was in the stroller under 1 years old. The other couldn't have been more than 2 and a half. She was carrying the toddler and came to the escalator wither her stroller and obviously had quite a dilemma on her hands as she wanted to hold her toddler and needed to get the baby in the stroller down as well. Now I know what you're thinking - why didn't she take an elevator? There was no elevator anywhere in sight!

So here is this poor women trying to figure out how to manage this obstacle, meanwhile, five men walk up and walk AROUND her and go down the escalator. Now I saw all of this because I was coming Up the escalator. I couldn't believe it. I got to the top as this poor woman was near tears. I took the stroller from her so she could hold the toddler and then helped her down the escalator. She couldn't have been more grateful. It took 5 minutes of my time and I was able to help someone in need.

And although I really wanted to curse those men to Hell and damnation, I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I just decided that our society has become so jaded and self absorbed, that they just didn't know any better. And that is how most people react in our society today. And it makes me sad.

If you take anything away from this ranting of mine, please take this, remember those around you. Extend a courtesy to someone in need or just say hello. A smile and greeting go a long way in these troubled times.

Have a nice day everyone.

I'm alive!!

I've been sick and not up to writing on my blog lately. But I'm doing better and I thought that I'd let you all know I am ALIVE!!!

But I will let you know that I'm VERY happy that my Redwings are kicking serious butt in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I'm holding out hopes for a Redwing / Penguins rematch now.

And if my Redwings win, then my sweetie will have to buy me a pink Zetterberg Jersey. :-)

GO WINGS!!!!!

What's up with the Swine Flu, the Media and Stupid People?

All of the schools around me are closing down out of fear that this flu bug will spread to all the kids. Seriously, I think that the media is doing more harm than good in this situation. I think that they have a responsibility to "Stop the Insanity."

What ever happened to Susan Powter? We could really use her crazy antics about now!

They have created more of the mass hysteria than necessary. People definitely need to be cautious. They need to wash their hands and avoid others that are sick. I mean, that's common sense.

Cover your mouth when you cough. Don't sneeze on your neighbor. If you're running a fever, or not feeling well, for God's sake STAY HOME people!! And certainly don't send your kid to school so they rest of our kids get sick.


But close the entire school district for a week and a half? Really?? Cancel all sporting events and field trips?

And then our brilliant Vice President gets on NATIONAL television and tells the world that he wouldn't put his family on an airplane right now! Way to go Mr. Biden, that's the way to reduce fears and calm the American public. That will help the economy.

If everyone would step back and really take a look at what's going on, its a media frenzy more than a flu outbreak! There are more media stories about the Flu than confirmed cases of the flu. Its ridiculous really when you think about it.

Don't pay the doctor for advice because all he's going to say is this: Drink lots of fluids, get plenty of rest, and keep a box of Puff Plus by your bed. You'll feel better in about a week.

Get out the broom...

Cause the Wings just swept the series!!

Yes, that right my fellow hockey fans, my RELIABLE Redwings pulled off the sweep and took the 1st round against the Columbus Blue Jackets in 4 games.

That just goes to show you that nothing good comes from Ohio! So now we wait and see who's going to win to pair us up for round two.

All I can say is Ozzie's on a roll and he's got a score to settle from regular season people!

Go Wings!! Keep the Cup in Hockeytown, USA!

My Five Year Old Companion

You know when you take a flight and its packed to the gills with screaming kids and complaining passengers? Well I had that experience going to Seattle this past weekend. But I had the most interesting seat mate on my journey.

I was exhausted. I had stayed up all night the previous evening packing and getting my kids laundry done. So all I wanted to do was sleep. The plane ride was four and a half hours long. That would be a perfect nap to take before I reached Seattle. Jared and I had plans for going out and the last thing that I wanted to be was tired and grumpy for our date.

So I settled in ready to take a nice little snooze. Until I heard this sweet little voice…

“What your name is?” I opened one eye, not sure if I heard what I thought I heard. And I saw the biggest brown eyes on a little boy I’ve ever seen in my life. He had this cute little grin and his red ball cap was jarred slightly to the left; making his head look just a tad lopsided. But he could not have been sweeter if I added whipped cream and a cherry.

“My name is Melissa. What’s your name?” His mother was sitting right next to me and mouthed the words “I’m sorry.” I let her know it was ok and continued my conversation with my new friend.

“My name is Zachary.” But there is a shorter way to say that.”

“There is?” I said. Acting as if I had no clue what that might be.

“Yes, it’s Zach. Did you know that?”

“Well, Yes, Zach, I did know that. But I didn’t know that’s what you went by. It’s very nice to meet you.” And I offered my hand out.

He looked back at his mother and said “Is she a stranger? Can I touch her?”

I had to laugh because at this point, he had already passed the point of “Don’t Talk to Strangers” as his mother very well knew. She looked at me and smiled and then looked at little Zach.

“This time I think its okay because I’m here with you.” She told him.

“My Mom said that I can touch you.”

And at that point Little Zach shook my hand. Zach and I talked about all sorts of neat things. Like who had the cooler toys Iron Man or Batman. (Batman won) Who would win in a fight: Godzilla or Tyrannosaurus Rex. (Godzilla – but it was a close call) Zach talked about the fact that he can’t wait for the new Transformer movie to come out this summer. And how hard it is being 5 and having 4 older sisters!

WOW! He’s got a tough life!! Little Zach was heading home to Fairbanks Alaska. He had been visiting family in Louisiana. A new baby cousin had just been born. So he informed me that HE was no longer the BABY of the family. He was a big boy now.

And rightly so. Then unexpectedly, I got this wonderful declaration from a five year old little boy,

“I love you.”

I look at him. His big brown eyes all filled with hope and not a care in the world. This little angel that doesn’t have bills to worry about. He doesn’t have to worry about his kids and where he’s going to get the money to pay for their college. There’s nothing sinister about him, he doesn’t want anything from me; Just a simple little boy who met a stranger on an airplane and decided to start a conversation.

“I love you,” He said again. “Wait I said that already.” And at that moment I had an overwhelming feeling of Hope for mankind and it was all wrapped up in this small brown eyed little boy.

“I love you too.” I said back to him. And I did. I really did. It wasn’t something I just said to say. I really did love this cute little boy that made my long unbearable flight an incredible journey for me.

Zachary went on to Fairbanks and I got off in Seattle. I’ll never see him again. But I’ll also never forget him.