One evening, my family was at an Italian restaurant for dinner. My mom leaned over and said pointing "That man over there is staring at me." Knowing the in's and out's of Alzheimers and having children of my own, I smiled and said "Don't worry about it mom, eat your dinner - don't point."
Time passed and again she tells me with a little more force "That man over there is staring at me." "Mom, please don't worry about it, eat your dinner he's probably not even looking at you." "Oh, yes, he is!" my mother tells me.
This time with anger, she tells me "JULIE ANN!!! That man is staring at me and I'm going to go say something to him!!!" "Okay Okay Okay! I got it!!!" I stop her from leaving the table, but now I have to go confront this man. Being the good and concerned daughter that I am, I nervously ask my mom to point out the man staring at her.
Let me tell you.... I marched right over to this man, that happened to be the carved butler statue standing at the entrance of the restaurant holding wine glasses and a bread basket, demanding that he quit staring at my mother! The owner of the restaruant was happy to turn the butler statue in a different direction until we left.
To often we are quick to judge a dress hanging in the window, a person, a job opportunity, a relationship, a friendship - based on the way we first see it. Something or someone could change your life, but you won't or didn't take time to really see it. You already "knew all about it" or "all about that person", and possibly missed the opportunity.
My mom adopted me when I was four days old. My mom put me on the school bus every morning. My mom tied my shoes, combed my hair and gave me style. My mom raised me in church. My mom taught me to laugh, love, live and lie about your shoe size. My mom taught me to have the same view with different eyes.
I love you mom!