INTERACTIONS GREAT AND SMALL

Some people I love talking with.

Some people I dread.

My daughter has been here for the past week, with her husband and two simply wonderful children (not that this grandmother is at all biased), and it is pure joy to simply gab away with her for hours - about the kids, human nature, memories, life's experiences.

My brother has been hospitalized for this same period of time for a serious infection in his left leg. And it has been incredibly relaxing to not have to tip-toe around when he is resting, to be able to play music at a normal volume, and (yes, you guessed it) NOT have to talk with him.

Let me correct that last statement - to not have to listen to him. Conversations with my brother are extremely one-sided --- HIS side.

Since I do not, as he strongly and repeatedly states, have any taste in music, topics of discussion or really any areas of interest, I generally am expected to sit and drink in his expansive (and oft purely imaginary) expertise in a number of areas.

I like talking to my daughter much better.

HOW ABOUT THESE HEADLINES

(HW) Wednesday, March 2, 2011:

A teenage mother took exceptional care for her 9 month old son, providing food, warmth and security as well as providing paid day-care for two other small children with the same level of excellence.

Three television stars acted in their weekly sitcoms without resorting to the use of drugs, alcohol or anger management problems. They spent their generous salaries to provide for their extended families, save for future needs, and donate to a charity which builds homes for low-income families.

A group of 87 American military personnel landed safely in Afghanistan

 

New Jersey passed a bill regulating the state's purchase of non-US produced products, intended to encourage government officials to purchase locally.

Twenty-eight windmills provided safe and reliable energy to Bakersfield, California without any threat or danger to the surrounding pasture land.

Ten senior adults were cared for by the paid staff of their assisted-living facility. They were fed, bathed, and attended to. A birthday party was thrown for the facility's live-in companion dog, with cake and ice cream for all.

Sorry - I feel obligated to check CNN headlines on-line periodically, since my husband is in Baghdad - but the headlines today just blew me away. I needed to see these stories to buoy my own normal optimism.