WRIT201-B03_ Creative Nonfiction (Rough Draft): Mother of Two Heckles Old Korean War Veteran

Mother of Two Heckles Old Korean War Veteran

Working with the public you can learn many lessons from whether that be for better or for worse. There is likely a high chance that you reside in a town or city, large or small, that includes a Walmart. This may be our favorite place to go for social connection, right? Well, one thing is for sure is that you can always find something going on worth some amusement. This casual illustration I am about to share would display itself as an example with the risk for assumptions among the impact of societal and generational changes.

A family of four— a middle-aged father and mother, a young boy and younger girl sees themselves to the wireless counter of the electronics department in a Walmart of a small country town. Soon, they would be accompanied by an unexpected act of genuine kindness. This act of generosity would reveal itself as an old Korean War veteran in a scooter. Both the family and the old man were in the process of being assisted with their cellular services. He would soon find himself occupied by the glowing light from the two young children of the family next to him. As the old vet involved more of his interest in the young boy, he reached into his pocket as he questions the boys age.

“How old are you sonny, maybe ten? ” the old vet asked.

“No I'm nine, but I'll be ten in August,” the young boy responded.

“Oh noo, you have to be at least ten,” joked the old man as he was delighted that by surprise he had a spare ten dollar bill in his wallet. “Ten years and ten bucks,” how convenient one would consider. And yes, that is exactly what it was— nothing more than a kind gesture of generosity to brighten the boy's day.

“Now make sure to share with your sister too,” insisted on the worn down old vet. The boy was nonetheless excited to accept the offer. The little girl, a bubbly ornery toddler, would be venturing off in her own imagination during the time of this whole ordeal. In a short moment the mother would act with much haste as to intervene and exclaim in a dramatic manner to what was taken place before her.

“Thank you but I have my own money,” the mother sassed at the old vet. The mother continued to repeat the implications of her opinions on the matter having some other verbal exchanges with the old man.

Ambiguity suddenly filled the atmosphere.

Both the customers and associates that stood about the area were just as confused as the old vet and even the mother's husband was very much bewildered. Her response to the situation had been sassy and off-putting.

“Well that's very nice and good for you, but this is for the kids,” the old man stated.

As the evening progresses many would wonder what the mother's reason was for her selfish banter. The associate assisting the old man respectfully intervened at one point and  attempted to provide some clarity and understanding on the matter. Finally coming to her senses of being aware of how foolish she was, the mother later occupied her time with the laptop displays nearby with her kids.

The altercation would then see itself put to rest.

This insightful surprise to the old vet and the bystanders present some things to bear in mind and take away from. What led to the miscommunication between the mother of these two children and the old beat down war vet? How has society and the media, social media more specifically, shaped the way we interact with each other as opposed to fifty years ago? Would you risk the assumption of a situation not knowing or having evidence on the matter if you knew it would still make you look utterly foolish? Perhaps living among a world where we are now posed with the issue for many to express too much of their feelings amidst the heavy traffic and overload of accessible information in the digital world bleeds this careless behavior into the very lives of society in person we see today if more often than ever before.