Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Summer@Home: What I Learned, Part 2


In addition to what I learned about stuff ... what I could do without, and what I really missed ... I learned a lot about relationships and the people around me.

PART 2: What I learned about relationships

I learned that help can come from places you don't expect. 
There's a clique in my neighborhood. I'm not really "in" it, but I'm not exactly "out" of it either. My kids don't go to the neighborhood elementary school. They don't play tackle football at the local park, which seems to be the thing to do. None of them goes to my church. So I've always kind of skirted the edge of this group of women who have a lot in common with each other, but not necessarily with me. 

But that doesn't mean that when I needed them, they didn't come through. One gave Sandy countless rides to and from football practices. Several ran to the grocery store or would even text me from the store: "I'm here! Do you need anything?" They brought meals and returned books to the library.

One gentleman in the neighborhood — the father of a friend of mine — drove Joshua and Jordan to school for two weeks while Herb was traveling. My across-the-street neighbor and I got to know each other a lot better, and we even did a Bible Study together this summer.

I learned that my neighbors have got my back just because that's who they are. I hope I get to return the favor.


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Ur Gramr Sux

OK, so this has nothing to do with Finishing anything, but I just read an article in the Wall Street Journal about how we are becoming a nation of grammatical slackers. Maybe it's just because I was an English minor...maybe it's just because I planned to be a journalist when I grew up...or maybe it's just because my parents were a teacher (Mom) and a journalist then lawyer (Dad), but I grew up not only knowing good grammar, but also knowing the importance of it.

Let me say this once and loudly: Most prospective employers, particularly of professional or service-oriented businesses, will not take you seriously if you cannot write a respectful, grammatically correct cover letter and resume. 

Or at least that's what I used to think.