COMMENTARY
This rocky relationship made a lifelong impression he first week of April between sobs. in fifth grade, I got “What? Why would he off the bus and started do that? Did you do somewalking toward home. I thing to upset him?” felt something hit she asked. my back. I turned “I don’t think quickly and saw so. I hardly ever Lonnie, who lived talk to him. I can’t three houses from think why he’s bethe corner, picking ing so mean.” up more rocks. I began to get “What are you my breath. “I don’t doing?” I yelled. He know what to do. THINKING He’s been doing it threw another at OUT LOUD for a week.” me. Then another. I turned and ran “Let’s go talk to home. He laughed. his mom. I bet Ann This happened doesn’t know.” We the next day and walked back down the next and the the street toward next. Finally, I their house. His couldn’t stand it. mother, Ann, was “Stop it,” I the daughter of yelled at him. He kept my favorite neighbors, aiming for me. the Yarbers. That made “Mama,” I yelled as I Lonnie their grandson. threw open the door. “You They’re so kind and lovtold me to never tattle, but ing. How could they have I can’t take it anymore.” such a mean grandson? By this time, I was in tears. Ann was surprised to “Honey, what’s wrong?” see us. I saw Lonnie run Mama put her arm down the hall and hide. around me and we sat on Mama explained why we the davenport. were here. “Lonnie won’t quit “Lonnie, come here!” throwing rocks at me,” Ann yelled. He came down I managed to say the hall with his head
T
Sharon Chase Hoseley
down and wouldn’t even look at us. “Why in the world are you throwing rocks at Sharon? She’s a nice girl. You don’t treat her like that.” He mumbled something. “I can’t hear you, Lonnie. Look at me and tell me.” Slowly he raised his head and looked at his Mama. “I do it because I like her,” he finally said. Silence — then Mama cleared her throat. I could hear a smile in her voice, but it wasn’t on her face. “Lonnie, when you like someone, you’re good to them and you do nice things for them. Throwing rocks at someone doesn’t make them like you.” “Sorry,” Lonnie muttered. Then he looked at me. “Will you sit by me on the bus on Monday?” I didn’t know how to answer. Mama squeezed my hand and I said, “OK.” It seemed like that was all he needed. I was never hit by another rock. This memory makes me wonder: Why do people throw verbal,
emotional and sometimes even physical rocks at people? Might there be some secret “like” or yearning? Is there a discontent so deep they no longer hold respect or kindness as a priority? Maybe it’s jealousy that blinds the thrower to a better solution? Whatever the reason, it certainly isn’t making our world better. Rock throwers create anger, hurt, revenge and distance. These reactions are based in fear. They’re the response of self-protection. Maybe it’s time to climb out of our protective cocoons and take a closer look at our relationships. We can change the world one person at a time by
putting into practice the words from Glenn Campbell’s song from the ’60s. You’ve got to try a little kindness Yes, show a little kindness Just shine your light for everyone to see And if you try a little kindness Then you’ll overlook the blindness Of narrow-minded people on the narrowminded streets. Chase Hoseley is a freelance writer and retired kindergarten teacher who lives in Clarkston. She looks forward to sharing her out-of-the-box, out-loud thoughts with you each month. She can be reached at shoseley8@gmail.com.
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