The word for this column is listening. 

 

When you open your eyes in the morning if there is a crack in the window you will hear the peep of the birds and you may hear the chirping of the squirrels as they run up and down the trees, chasing each other and chomping on the nuts they have left from the winter storage. 

 

If you have a porch or a deck and you sit there, if there are trees close by, you may hear the falling of the few leaves that may have been left on the limbs. If you are listening, you may hear the barking of the neighbor’s dog as he greets his master returning from work.  Or you may hear an angry bark as he defends the property from an invasion.  One of the sweetest things you will ever hear are the chimes hanging on the deck as the winds shake them gently and may you not forget the soft sound of the snow as it fell to the ground last winter.  These are all sounds that you would not have heard if you were not listening.  All of these sounds brought much pleasure to us as we listened.

 

Now here is a different approach to listening.  Can you imagine the pleasure you could bring to others if you just listen to them? Let’s start with those toddlers.  Have you noticed the joy on that baby’s face as she utters “momma” for the first time, and you cheer her on.  How about taking the time to listen to your 85-year-old grandmother as she tells you for the tenth time about her young years and you get excited as though it was the first time you heard the story.  It may really be an effort to listen to a teenager who hardly talks but be ready to respond for those few words they may utter.

 

As I get older one of the most satisfying moments is listening to my friends as we discuss the ordeals of life.  You know in our busy life it is sometimes hard to take the time to just listen.  But I have found that by taking the time to listen that I am not only satisfying my mission, but I hope I am fulfilling a need of my friend.  I have always said that to hear myself say something makes it real and I hope that my friends feel the same when they have had the opportunity to talk to me and I have had the opportunity to “LISTEN.”

 

Take the time to finish this Lenten season out by listening to your parents, to the children and to your friends. A good listener is a gem to mankind.

 

Be sure to mark your calendars to attend the Moving Up ceremony of the Young Progressive Women's Association which is being sponsored by Rhonda Holyfield Mangieri.  It will be held on Sunday, April 7 at the Uptown Event Center in downtown Clarksburg.

 

Contact the PWA for your fresh Easter bread or Easter egg at 304-624-6881.

 

Get ready for Easter and plan on listening to the beautiful Easter music.  Stay healthy and until next week, “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”