Dear kid,
I’m starting to worry about future generations. Yes, I’m not much older than you… 24 to be exact and I consider myself young (as do most everyone else). Kids these days though, somethings wrong with them. I think parents are starting to lack the type of discipline I grew up with. My parents taught me how to be modest, polite, respectful. I learned yes ma’am and no sir rather early. I called adults Mrs. or Mr. and for the most part, I still do. I think parents expect to be their kids best friend and therefore choose to not demand respect or modesty. They think that courtesy is over rated and skimpy tube tops fly for proper dress.
Of course, Miley was talked about in large proportions after the VMA’s… no surprise after that ridiculous disgusting unbelievable show (Side note to Miley: child… get that tongue back in your gross mouth!). Is that how kids are being raised these days? Well sure… that’s hollywood for you and that lifestyle does crazy things to people, but that doesn’t discredit the fact that I see young girls (10 years old or so) wearing heavy makeup and dressing sluttier and sluttier, kids who are calling their parents by their first names instead of mom and dad, kids getting pregnant at ages that seem younger and younger each year!
Although I’m starting to worry more and more about future generations, in all reality, there isn’t much I can do except raise my kids properly and pray that others do the same. You kid, you are a good apple. I was approaching you and your two buddies. You were all wearing black and the sun was just about set – sure, I may have had a tiny bit of judgement in my mind, but as a good southern runner does, I tossed my hand up to acknowledge you and wave. Not going to lie… I expected you to do one of the following due your pre-judged hoodlum looking status: 1. ignore me all together, 2. say something stupid or slanderous, or 3. whisper about me once we passed each other. Serves me right for judging you (which, might I just add as a side note… something I strongly struggle with in life)
Neither of the above things happened though…. Instead, you said, “You’re almost there!”
Wow… encouragement! From a kid… probably 15 or 16. I must say, I was somewhat shocked. I was also extremely thankful and blessed by your words. They were three short words, but they were powerful! I wish I could have huffed more than an exhausted “Thanks!” your way because kid… ideally I would have shook your hand and thanked you properly. I was almost there and you gave me the added endurance I needed to continue on. You gave me hope in the future. True hope that all kids are not lost, true hope that some kids are still being raised right. So to you kid… I say THANKS! I also say Sorry! Sorry for pre-judging you before we actually had the chance to interact.
Instead of me feeling like this at the end
I felt like this
Sincerely,
The runner
