I spent my morning on conference calls, and then my best friend of 33 years picked me up and took me to see a movie - "The Break Up." (Great movie, by the way!) We caught the early matinee, got there in plenty of time for me to hobble into the theater on my crutches while my pal carried 2 large sodas and a bag of popcorn. We were the first people there so we picked the row with a metal railing in front of it - perfect for putting my leg up to rest. I only had to go up 2 small steps and then slide sideways a little bit. The seats were a little left of the center of the theater but it was fine. Soon enough we were joined by a small spattering of other movie fans, spread out all around the theater.
A few minutes after the movie started a group of 3 older women and 3 or 4 kids came into the theater. They had literally hundreds of seats to choose from, but there must have been a stinkin' neon light flashing "pick me, pick me" because they took the seats directly behind my friend and I. No Way, I thought. They were chatting with each other. I took a deep breath and hoped they would settle in quickly. Next came the crackling of whatever snack bags they were trying to open up. Crackle, crackle. Crackle, crackle. That little voice inside my head was getting pretty worked up. Throughout the movie they would talk to each other. Not whisper - TALK. All 6 or 7 of them, chatting with each other. At one point in the movie, the characters were singing a song together and, I kid you not, the group behind us chimed in singing right along with them! That little voice in my head kept saying, There are hundreds of other seats in here...
While I shot a few evil glares over my shoulder a few times, I never did say anything to these people. If I hadn't been handicapped, I would have moved myself away from them. In hindsight, I probably should have done that, though it's tough maneuvering through those thin aisles with crutches. I really should have just asked THEM to move. I'm such a PLEASER!
Last week another friend of mine told me a story about how she got out of her car to yell at someone who was being inconsiderate in the school parking lot. I hailed her a hero for being so brave. (If you want to read her post about this you can visit her blog entitled "School Drop-off Rant" here.) I'm not sure I have it in me to be so bold, but I'd sure like to learn how!
3 comments:
Come on girl! You -- the Past President who travels to Washington DC and speaks to senators and anyone else who will listen to you about our occupation! You aren't afraid to speak up when it comes to our profession. Besides, you have those 2 handy "weapons" available -- crutches. Rather than move on the theater you could have just bopped them over the head to shut them up! :)
Love you buddie. Hang in there - things can only go up from here.
Carrie
I never thought to use the crutches as a weapon! You're a fast thinker!! :0)
Kim, Carrie makes a good point...you can get up and speak in front of hundreds of people, but you can't speak up to a family in a theater. Hmm..*sigh*..I guess I will have to show you how it's done. hee hee hee. You know me..never afraid to speak my mind.(Yet, I don't think I can do what YOU do...speak in front of hundreds of people)!
Hang in there, girlfriend, pretty soon you will have your walking cast on and you can sit anywhere you want!
Deeds
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