Today was a good day. A group of senior gentlemen who meet once a month at the Roseburg Country Club and call themselves the Lunch Bunch, invited me to speak. Some of the men attending are friends of mine. I looked forward to the afternoon, knowing I'd enjoy myself. I did.
The time I spent with this group of special men (and their wives), got me to thinking and longing for something that's missing in this world--cordialness. The dictionary describes cordial as courteous, gracious; warm. That describes these guys.
From the moment I arrived, they were attentive and polite and they made me feel special and respected. And something more; when I looked into their eyes--everyone one of them--I could see goodness. And these fellows looked back at me as if they truly saw me. When I spoke they listened and then actually considered what I'd said. They were inquisitive and asked intelligent, meaningful questions.
After the luncheon was over I went on my way, but I felt a longing to spend more time with quality people like these. They made my day, my week, and maybe even more than that. I saw something in these fellows that I do not see in my generation and the generations following me--cordialness.
Where have the gentlemen gone? Too many men (and women) are too busy to spend time with others, too self-absorbed to be courteous, and sometimes too arrogant to truly listen to a female. I apologize if I sound discontent, but I guess I am. I long for something more to happen when people meet. I want to connect, not just pass each other by.
Perhaps the men I met yesterday were brash in their youth, as youth have a habit of being, and have only now learned to savor the moment. But these "Old Timers" possess a special quality, something our young men are missing or maybe it's simply something that's been lost as generations have passed.
Wouldn't it be great if men like the ones I met today could bestow some of their cordialness to others, especially to the young men coming up. If only the young would pay attention--they'd learn a thing or two. I entreat the "Old Timers" to connect with the young. They . . . we need you to pass on the qualities that make a gentleman, that is . . . a gentle man. For that's what you are and that's what we need more of.
Bonnie
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
So very true. Like the cowboys, where have all the gentle men gone? Sounds like most of them are in southern Oregon! I'm hoping that a few remain in Portland, for I'm heading back to work at the front desk of the motel across the street from my house, and 90 percent of our guests are from Portland, and probably 80 percent of them can be royal PIBs. (Pains In Tooshies.) ; )
ReplyDelete