I saw a child lost in the midst of a crowd of people at an event I was visiting the other day. The child had lost contact with her parents and was getting more and more upset. It is so easy to do when crowds of people are milling around and there are all sorts of attractions and demonstrations to catch the eye.
In the past I would have had no hesitation at all to go and ask the child if I could help. Escort the child to the security people who could put out an announcement. All seemed like common sense. But that was not what had to be done. Now you have to recruit another person explain the problem and together try to find a solution. In this case another older lady while we sent somebody to get security. In the end all was well, but sadly this child had faced stress while so many, probably feeling like me turned a blind eye.
Another little interesting incident. I was in a bakery. The baskets of croissants were all empty. But the next batch were on trays ready to go out. I asked the attendant if I could have two? I was told no they were still warm I might burn myself. "I will use the tongs I said, and absolve you of all responsibility." Not good enough I had to wait for at least ten minutes if I wanted them. I left without.
So today I give you my obituary to common sense.
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer an Elastoplast or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death,
- by his parents, Truth and Trust,
- by his wife, Discretion,
- by his daughter, Responsibility,
- and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights
- I Want It Now
- Someone Else Is To Blame
- I'm A Victim
- Pay me for Doing Nothing
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
The painting above is, or I thought one of friendship between Grandfather and grandchild. Sadly before it was sold some people told me they thought it looked sinister. I have not painted any other similar paintings since.
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