Dear Frankie,
Can we talk about patience?
Have you ever heard the saying…?
“Patience Is A Virtue”
The sentiment in this common phrase is a reflection upon a person’s ability to wait for something.
By calling patience a virtue, it leads people to believe an ability to wait without agitation is an admirable quality.
However, practicing this virtue is not easy by any means, it takes time, personal growth and lots and lots of practice.
Impatience can cause irritability, frustration and stress so mastering the art of patience is one that can only be achieved if empathy and understanding are in play.
I remember waiting for a bus in the rain, when I was about your age. I remember the time spent in that cold and draughty shelter and it feeling like an eternity. I remember becoming agitated assuming I would be extremely late home and punished because of it.
I would cause worry and upset and that everything would be my fault.
I remember running up the hill as fast as I could and bursting in the backdoor, bright as a beetroot and 20 minutes late.
‘Where have you been?’ Your Nana said sharply. ‘I was just about to send out a search party.’
This is when I think mobile phones are absolutely brilliant and this is why I gave you one from the age of 8.
I wish they had been invented when I was 11, it would have saved my Mum a lot of worry and heartache.
A mobile phone is a quick and easy way to keep us connected, to provide updates when happenings or unforeseen changes occur, like a bus being late, a train being cancelled or a flight being delayed.
It’s a great tool to check in with and keep friends and family up to date.
If I could go back in time and take my smartphone with me, I would have called your Nana up and explained the situation. I’m sure she would have told me not to worry and to wait patiently at the bus stop till my bus arrived.
No need for a search party at least.
We are teaching Dennis to be patient aren’t we? He still jumps up at us in anticipation of food and attention but over time and with lots of training and practice, I’m sure he will have mastered the art of waiting patiently for us.
He will sit on our command at the kerb, waiting patiently to cross the road when we say it’s safe to do so.
He will know to wait patiently for his dinner while we prepare it and spoon it into his bowl.
He will stay at home all by himself for short periods of time, knowing we would never leave him by himself for too long.
Practicing patience is a mindfulness exercise for all of us and a virtue we can aspire to achieve throughout our lives.
Forever yours,
Mum x
12/05/2022