There was a case
recently when people in a youth group wanted to serenade some of those past
leaders in their group from the past who contributed to what this group has
become. They chose an occasion and arranged for a plaque to be prepared and informed
the older person that they would like to present this to him at their next
meeting.
The person who
came to the building, looked and saw the numbers who had come that had filled
the room to standing room only, and then declined to accept the offer, saying
that it should have been done on an occasion when a larger hall in the building
was full of people, and therefore in front of a whole series of cameras and
more people to witness the occasion.
It is the
recipients right to decline the award on any grounds he so chooses, and the
youth must understand this. It is a difficult concept for a young person to
comprehend an honor being declined, as at that age they would love to be
serenaded. However some people get jaded with age, and perhaps feel they are
more important than others see them. Often people who have obtained fame and
glory at some time of their lives, and then subsequently have with age, and
loss off office been relegated to the realms of history and therefore
forgetfulness in people’s memories, but still tend to live in the past
reflected glory. They have odd quirks and this is one that I put to that odd
quirk which the youth must be prepared to accept and forget about without
holding a grudge.
It is another
matter wholly if the youth group does not wish to give this person the honor
again, at a later stage or with the full honors he had wished. That is the
choice the person makes with this attitude.
It is a good
lesson to learn, to be humble and accept any honor with grace and humility and
not with arrogance about earlier fame, no longer in vogue!
One must also
remember that whatever plans one makes where others are involved, one is not
always able to make it work in the same manner they wish. There are some
adjustments that must be made and we hope we can come out with a satisfactory
occasion despite the hurdles that we see that the older generation has piled on
us. One must keep everything in perspective and always be glad that an event
went off without a major hitch. So much goes into planning a small event, and
it takes a lot of planning and organization. One must be prepared to accept a successful
conclusion with grace humility, and ‘thank God its over!’ attitude.
