If you read The Intramuralist <\/i>often, you know she has a voice that is passionate about the need to listen\u2026 to be respectful\u2026 to be non-judgmental.\u00a0 Perhaps she inherited some of her grandfather\u2019s DNA, for without the benefit of Facebook, he lived the same passion, face-to-face instead.\u00a0 Let me introduce you to this Listener.<\/p>\n
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In a small town there are two people who \u201cknow the scoop\u201d about what is happening when, where, and with whom.\u00a0 No, it is not that they gossip. Rather, they offer a listening ear and closed mouth to their clientele.\u00a0 They are encouragers, not judges.\u00a0 So despite the qualifications of the two local pastors in the Minnesota town of my upbringing, Archie, the barber, and Herb, the bartender, were the confidantes, though they never hung out their shingles.\u00a0 Herb was my dad, and since people drink a beer more often than they get a haircut, he \u201cworked\u201d overtime.<\/p>\n
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Now I can\u2019t say that as a teen, I was particularly impressed when a customer came in for the coffee I served, but seemed more interested in conversation with my dad in the corner booth.\u00a0 I knew Dad enjoyed people, and I just passed it off as his friendly attitude.\u00a0 There was Blanch who needed to join AA, Hank who lost his job, and Herman who was depressed.\u00a0 But then I discovered friends of mine came to see him too\u2026 Jo who was heartbroken over Bob\u2019s rejection, Eddie who was leaving for the Army, Merle who felt she was a disappointment to her parents.\u00a0 Even after I left for college, they still came to see him.\u00a0 They sent him cards when they traveled; they called just to say hello; they brought their new spouse to meet him; they came to call at his funeral. With more maturity, I came to realize that Dad knew the importance of people.\u00a0 His concern and interest were authentic.\u00a0 His insights wise.\u00a0 He could be trusted with what was entrusted to him.\u00a0 He knew love listens. \u00a0 Would we all seek to listen as my dad?\u00a0 \u2026 and his granddaughter\u2026 listening that is respectful and non-judgmental.<\/p>\n
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And oh yes, the pastors came to see him too\u2026 knocking at the back door to visit\u2026 and knowing they could buy a six-pack without anyone else knowing.<\/p>\n
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Thanks, Intramuralist, for the opportunity to share.<\/p>\n
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Respectfully,<\/p>\n
DDL<\/p>\n
If you read The Intramuralist often, you know she has a voice that is passionate about the need to listen\u2026 to be respectful\u2026 to be non-judgmental.\u00a0 Perhaps she inherited some of her grandfather\u2019s DNA, for without the benefit of Facebook, he lived the same passion, face-to-face instead.\u00a0 Let me introduce you to this Listener. … <\/p>\n