Someone Has To Say It. It Might As Well Be Me

by: Becky Fortner

My dearest siblings:

Ah, as a new year begins our loving family is brought together once again. The home is buzzing with excitement as new chores are assigned. Yet, in our little home there have been some discrepancies. If we are to keep good karma in our family, some issues must be addressed.

1.The elevators:

Do not be lazy. I understand that sometimes we all get tired and do not feel like walking up or down a few flights of stairs. However, you should not use the elevators to go up only two floors when there are others who need to go up four or five. Honestly, it just angers those in the elevator with you. And believe me, they vocalize their aggravation as soon as you get off the elevator.

Courtesy to your fellow family members is another big issue. If someone is behind you, trying to get off the elevator, MOVE! Do not make them push you out of the way-all that creates in unneeded hostility. If this situation happens to you, there is someone in your way, ask him or her politely to move. I guarantee they will move for you. It is not like they are purposely going to stay in your way just to spite you.

Patience, my young ones, is a virtue. I understand that sometimes you have to rush to get to your next class, but there is NO reason to push the buttons 20,000 times! It is not going to make the elevator get to your floor any faster. If you are in that much of a hurry, then all you have to do is go around the corner and TAKE THE STAIRS! Genius!

2.The halls:

Do not be a fire hazard. Make sure that other family members can go through the hallways without having to swim through a sea of relatives-a dangerous feat that could injure him or her greatly. On a serious note, do not make everyone crawl over you so they can get to wherever they are going. I'm not saying that you cannot talk to family in the hall. What I am saying is, if you must talk in the halls, make sure you are close to the wall, or be sure to make a clear path for others to get through.

3. Manners, Manners, Manners!

I cannot stress to you how important manners are. Our family is known for being polite-a rose in a bush of thorns, if you will. However, I have recently noticed some upsetting occurrences. For example, the lack of respect for others is shocking. The cubbies are not personal locker spaces. There are no names to them; they are not assigned to anyone. So if someone puts his or her things in a cubby you want, find a different one! Do not, DO NOT, take their things out of the cubby so that you may replace them with your own! Either find a different place to put your things or take them with you to class.

Never, never, never talk down to others. This goes for EVERYONE, the young and the old! There is no reason to speak to siblings with blatant disrespect. I understand that everyone is not going to get along and be peachy-keen, but we can be civil to each other.

This year has so much potential for our family. If we can respect each other, I know that we can have an amazing year. Best of luck to all my brothers and sisters, and much love!

Your big sis,
Becks