December 19, 2006
So sorry to hear your legs are broken, boys.
I was watching today's Rachael Ray this evening and I came across a curious story. A woman wrote in to the show to request help decorating her home for the holidays.
She came on camera to tearfully tell her tale: her husband has been in Iraq for the last three Christmases and recent back surgery has left her unable to decorate her family's house for the holidays. As I watch, I'm imagining three preschool-age boys—disappointed that their house has no tree, lights or home-baked goodies—and I feel sympathy for them.
The camera shows mom as she struggles to get up from the couch with a metal rod holding her back together. It's clear she's unable to walk confidently, let alone hoist an evergreen into place. We see still photos of their soldier father in Iraq, and it's absolutely tragic that he's missed his family celebration for three years running. At this point, I'm bobbing my head along with Rachael. Absolutely, help this family!
Then the camera goes wide and shows three people standing behind her... full-grown people... but they look like... can it be? Three teenage boys standing behind their mother. And it doesn't add up. Let's do the math:
Dad in Iraq + Mom incapacitated with metal rod in her back + three able-bodied teenage boys SHOULD equal a decorated house. Even if you're feeling picky and you show your work, two of the teenage boys cancel out Injured Mom and Absent Dad, leaving a remainder of one able-bodied teenage boy.
Surely, decorating a tree is not beyond the ability of an adolescent? Baking a cookie isn't rocket science. Heck, cut out a few paper snowflakes and at least make the effort.
The mayor, the fire department and the police station arrived and decorated the home... blah, blah, blah. Didn't matter. I had lost all interest. I started fast-forwarding when I noticed one of the sons watching the community decorate his house while he stood in the corner, hands stuffed into his pockets, chewing gum.
If those three boys couldn't be bothered to hang a few lights and put up a tree when their parents were physically unable to do so, what exactly would motivate them to step up?
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