Listen to really Learn! | Grandma’s Stories

Jul 18th Listen to really Learn!

Looking at some old pictures and reading some old -1940-mail, can really bring forward some good old memories of where you were and what you were doing and almost what was said.

When I was younger and living in the “Orphan Home” – if you learned anything at all – it was to keep your mouth shut when the “NUN” was addressing you or correcting you! Naturally, you would want to “mouth off” – but if you did – you were then in trouble with most of the “NUNS” and you were no longer going on any outings or attending any special events! I figured that out early and my mouth was zipped shut, when a “NUN” was within hearing distance. I just did not want any of the punishment like some of the kids received. Their “PAIN” taught me “LESSONS!”

So, after years of silence, when I was on my own, and this was many years later – I guess I had all the silence I could take and I noticed that when my Aunt Irene was around – she would ask me something, but she did not really want an answer. This was something I could not figure out? Why ask or tell someone in a way that – there should be some kind of a response? Nothing is ever settled if one person can say or give “orders” when, some times more information is required. “Like an answer or even a question?”

One such occasion took place at Aunt Irene’s home – we were in her bedroom, she had some clothes she was giving to me – and wanted me to try them on to be sure they all fit? She was asking and telling me something and I was questioning her back? This was something she maybe did not receive from any body, else? I guess she thought I would just say “OKAY” to everything and not put in my “two-cents” worth?

The black suit she was giving to me – was the problem? I made a few comments and asked a few questions, and she would say something and I had more to say and this she did not like. “You always have to have the last word” is what Aunt Irene said to me! Well, naturally , I had to say, “NO!” “See you did it again!” This went on for awhile and of course I decided to say nothing , and just let her have what she wanted “the last word!” I do not bother to give my opinion on everything and anything. If someone really wants my opinion they almost have to beat it out of me, I have since figured out – there are too many people who have to have the last word – otherwise they just are not as important as they think they are?

Zip it and listen – you learn so nuch more by keeping your month “shut!”