09/25/2007

OK, so I confess this video is about double the ideal length for a blog motion picture. I hope no one minds watching 60+ seconds of footage. I think it is all classic material, but then, the starlettes are my kids. Plus, I unfortunately am not savvy enough to edit a video clip. Thus, it is what it is, regardless of what any of us thinks!

I guess this video proves what I have suspected all along: I'm of no use in the Jones household! Clearly, at nearly-two, Nathan is a more than competent caregiver for Nia. I have yet to assess his diaper changing ability, but I'm sure it would be beyond satisfactory as well. Just kidding to all of the above statements! I am very much needed in this house! However, as I abandoned Nia to take some muffins out of the oven, Nathan felt called to take over. I stood observing the situation, tickled by Nathan's effort, and then it dawned on me: Hello?? Maybe some other folks would find this entertaining as well. So, that's that.

This was not really supposed to be the topic for today's blog. Here is what has really been on my mind:

Chivalry is not dead. Dying, perhaps, but not dead. There are some mothers out there who are instilling chivalrous qualities in their sons even in this day and age. And I, for one, thank and applaud those mothers. I'm so sick of men walking through doors, paying no heed to the fact that I'm following them in with a stroller handle in one hand and a baby carrier in the other, and leaving me to choke on the blast of their cologne that gets blown directly in my face when the door slams shut. If I had a free hand I might knock on the door. Perhaps this would get their attention. I would like to give them the benefit of a doubt--maybe they genuinely didn't see me. However, I'm quite sure I would totally lose it when the man turned around and shouted, "It's unlocked! Just pull harder!"

But today, a young man (couldn't have been more than 15 or 16) made his Mama proud. I had been doing some grocery shopping with Nia Madelynn. As is so often the case, I entered the store during sunny weather but emerged to find we were in the middle of a typical Houston downpour. Great. I had no one to pull the car up. No one to help me load the groceries in the trunk. No one to run quickly to the car with Nia so she wouldn't get wet. I had just me...and not enough arms to handle everything at once. I knew it was futile to wait for the rain to pass. In all likelihood the storm would get worse before it got better. I just ran toward the car...pushing the cart...trying to protect Nia as best I could...etc. Who should appear but this angel?? He comes running out after me and says, "Can I help you put your groceries in the trunk?" I stood stone still, in shock, letting the rain completely drench me. Then, shaking myself back to reality, I said, "Yes! Thank you SO much!" He loaded the groceries, shut the trunk, and put away my cart. Oh what a GOOD, good Samaritan!

And that is my story for today. Some mother is doing her job right. Nathan, years from now if you are flipping through these old blogs your Mom wrote, take heed: Help the old lady find her car in the parking lot. Help the pregnant woman load the newly purchased crib into her SUV. Let the old man with only one item in his grocery basket (probably Efferdent) go ahead of you in the checkout line. And for goodness sakes, hold open the door for the people behind you...even if you are convinced you might grow old while holding the fort...let the gray hairs come, but don't slam the door on anyone!