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Along Life’s Way
Taking the Lumps
By Lois E. Wilson
 
Having parents who were both teachers, a lot was expected of me. Being an only child, you have no siblings to guide you or with whom to share problems. You are on your own. There are friends; however, the debate is always how much of family events do you discuss with others.
 
All through childhood Mother would gently admonish, “Pretty is as pretty does. Be a little lady.” Of course, as most parents do, they felt whatever I did, good or bad, reflected on them. So a lot of times decisions were made on the basis of “What would my parents think?” A guilt response kept me in line.
 
There was no skipping school, shirking homework, drinking, smoking, doing drugs, lying about why I was late or where I had been. I tried to live up to their measure—a high standard indeed.
 
At times, I’m sure I uttered sighs of disappointment and questioned “why?” If I asked for something they didn’t want me to have, and they denied me, I offered the childish pout. I was not one to argue, scream, or cry to influence them. I knew these would be futile tactics.
 
One Christmas, something got my attention in a big way. Santa made the ultimate statement. In my stocking hung on the mantle, all I found were two lumps of coal. Apparently Santa had been dissatisfied with my conduct.
 
To this day, I am not exactly sure what actions of mine prompted these lumps from Santa. I know I was deeply hurt and speechless—I probably went to my room so that no one would see me and cried. As shown here, I never forgot it.
 
After I was grown, married, and had children, I knew I didn’t want Santa to reprimand our sons in that way. I don’t think Santa ever did.
 
I still think of my Mother’s words to me. I tried to do “pretty” all my life, but I don’t believe it made me pretty. But one request of hers for me may have worked because these days you could say, “I am a little lady.” OOPS! That guilt conscience caught up with me again. I cannot lie, “I am a little old lady.”
 
My wish is that your Christmas stockings and the new year hold blessings.  If we should get some coal lumps along life’s way, it’s good to remember that they can generate energy. Let’s harvest it and use it well. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2018!


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