“How much do you want for the mummy?” one shouted from the sporty sedan.
He was talking about the colorful, glittery, foam cutout my family was using as a gimmick to grab interest in our Relay for Life yard-sale fund-raiser. (“Don’t be in ‘de Nile.’ You can help in the fight against can- cer ...”)
The mummy had a former life as a decoration for a charity ball and, prior to that, a post-prom party. It hadn’t occurred to me to sell it. But, why not?!
“One dollar,” I said. And then added, “But proceeds go to the Cancer Society; so, if you’d like to give us two, that would be great.”
“It’s for the Cancer Society? We’ll give five,’’ one of the young men responded.
They handed over the fin; and, then, laughing uproariously at the purchase they’d just made, turned around in the cul-de-sac.
As they passed us again, one of them held out three more dollar bills.
Today, in this very newspaper, you are likely to read a story about some young adult who has done something stupid or mean or dangerous.
But the reality is most kids (and, from where I am chronologically, “kids” includes those in their 20s) are bright, caring and delightful.
Just like those guys in that car.
And, if it has been a while since your heart has swelled with gratitude for our youth, stop by next weekend at the Relay for Life event at Lancaster Catholic High School. You’ll see a slew of terrific LCHS students working their butts off, providing services for the benefit of those with cancer.
There are some awesome teens and twentysomethings in this county, and that is something to celebrate.
I’m no Pollyanna. (OK, well sometimes I am. Kinda. But ...)
I recognize that young people might test our mettle. Down deep, however, I believe, the overwhelming majority are good.
They care about their moms and dads, even though they might not always know how to show that.
They care about those who are sick, even though they might not admit it.
They want adults to respect them, even when they claim they “don’t care what anyone thinks.”
When parents are in the throes of dealing with typical teenage shenanigans, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Believe me, I know!
One of the advantages of being an empty nester, as I am, however, is perspective.
When my friends, who still have offspring at home, moan and fret and wonder “where have I gone wrong?” I can tell them — in all honesty — that they have not.
Sure, kids will make mistakes. That’s so that we know-it-all parents can learn some things.
For some of us, it will be how to be more patient; for others, more tolerant. I learned those lessons and some more, about humility and priorities and faith.
Believe it or not, it’s all worth the ride.
The majority of those kids will suddenly grow up and, like my own kids and those generous guys in the car, they’ll find ways to make their mummies oh-so proud.
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