Ahhh, Patience…
Grandma just moved into her new apartment so we went to to the store and meandered ever so slowly down the aisles to gather her list. A new toilet brush (though there were house-keepers cleaning the apartment), a gallon of bleach (don’t argue), crackers and snacks (to supplement the three complete meals served daily).
To be fair, she was also healing from heart surgery, so Marcus and I walked each careful step beside her.
Skip ahead to: shopping complete.
Marcus and Grandma waited outside the door while I pulled the car up to the curb. We unloaded the groceries and, as is the custom, Marcus headed off to do his duty of returning the cart.
I helped Grandma into the car and moved into the driver seat. I saw Marcus go in and could feel from the distance a little confusion. What he’s used to is a cart corral outside, but since we were so close to the front he took the cart inside. When he walked through the doors he could see to his left where the cards were corralled, but that area was blocked off. He had to continue through another set of double doors to return the cart, then proceed to the exit doors to come out. Little tricky. I could see him trying to work this out. I waited. I knew he would. And he did.
When he came out the exit and headed to the car, Grandma said, “I sure do admire your patience with him.”
I did not say, “Really Lady?! I just followed you through the store for an hour for six things. Really?”
I’m sure I just smiled, sighed, and said, “Thank you.”
This is what some of my Twitter friends have to say about patience:
Beth – “having a child with special needs does not equal infinite patience. just sayin.”
Amanda – “man I wish it did! Infinite patience would make a lot of this much easier.”
Beth – “that’s all I hear. “You must have SO MUCH PATIENCE.” Um no. I don’t have any. None. Not anymore.”
@MardraSikora No kidding. “You must have the patience of Job”. Really? Oh hells no!
— Down Wit Dat (@Down_Wit_Dat) July 9, 2013
This has been a #TBT post, originally shared in July of 2013. I’ve shared time and again over these last 5 years, it’s Marcus who helps Me most days.
What about you? How’s your patience as a parent? Or Grandchild?
I feel kind of the same way when people say “You’re so amazing/inspiring.” Really? I’m amazing because I got out of bed this morning, put on my own clothes, and actually left the house? It’s called living. I could curl into a fetal position and whine because life’s not fair (and let’s be honest, I’ve totally done that) but 1: I’m not going to tell you that and 2: then the writing wouldn’t get done.
The thing that bothers me the most is that these words so often come out as condescending instead of supportive.
Ironic.
Mardra – thank you for sharing this with me today 🙂 I’ve never been called patient — ha! I’m known for being incredibly impatient. It may be my generation, and the desire for instant gratification. I pray for patience, though… and I know friends who say “Don’t pray for that, or He’ll be sure to give you chances to practice it!” My response is always – He’ll give me those chances whether I pray about it or not, so I might as well pray for what I’m sure I need, a more patient heart, patient tongue, patient soul. Love the piece, friend!
That’s funny to me 🙂 I agree with your side, always best to keep working towards the better you, because the tests will come no matter what.
Thank you so much for reading!