Yesterday

There are many things about yesterday that helped to shape who we are today. One major thing comes to mind that was so vividly imprinted upon my mind many years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday, and I did not realize it then, but life was teaching me a valuable principle about respect. Self-respect can be greatly nourished when I demand respect from others. In a rural community, I often walked to the local Post Office. It was about a quarter of a mile from home. When I was very young, my father worked for the owner of a large farm. He was also a very rich man. He wasn't a mean man but a rather nice man. I was just a very poor boy who did not own a bike. One day as Mr. Jefferson was riding in style, I was walking in stride to the Post Office. He slowed, offering me a ride. I rushed to enter the car, but he purposely did not come to a complete stop. I was quickly annoyed and angered by this behavior and signaled for him to go on without me. 'Thanks, but no thanks'. I preferred to walk than to be disrespected.