Friday, September 16, 2011

The Grinches Who Appeared In September

I have a favorite quote from Henry David Thoreau that I think of often: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.”


Daily I see students who “hear a different drummer.” Yesterday I passed a young man wearing green pajama bottoms splattered with a chaotic pattern of large Grinch faces in Santa hats grinning impishly at whoever would look. Even at Christmas time it would have been unusual apparel, but in September it could seem decidedly out of place. But then who am I to determine what is in place and what isn’t?

The young man is obviously marching to a different drummer than I am, but instead of being annoyed or thinking “he shouldn’t” dress that way I smiled back at all those Grinches and enjoyed the moment. To be honest, my day was brightened by his courage and I’ve been smiling about it ever since.
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2 comments:

  1. WendiSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    If I had it my way, I would wear PJ's all day long, every day. :)

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Last year I was walking through the Shops at Riverwoods when I spied a fluffy, green, adorable Grinch stuffed toy in the window of Blickenstaff's toy store. I knew immediately I had to have him. He was the highlight of Christmas for me last year and when the holidays were over, I put him in my office so I can see him everyday. He makes me smile! So I say, kudos to the Grinch pj's :)

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