More Living Columnists

• Dolores Sanchez Badillo: The view from the fenceline
• Mary Penner: Learning about your past is an awesome journey
• Steve Brewer: Goofy fads can hold fond memories for families

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

Dear readers: An interesting evening began as we parked our car at a restaurant that boasts "the world's greatest hamburger." We waited to open our doors while the SUV parked next to us unloaded three kids and three adults.

When we reached the restaurant, two boys - both age 7, I learned later - were holding the door for us. As we thanked them, they took time to greet us with smiles that welcomed us.

These little boys so intrigued me that I decided I had to meet them. I introduced myself to their mother and asked if I could talk to them to see why they held the door open and why they seemed like such happy kids. She allowed me to do so.

By this time, the three boys were seated together at a table waiting for their order. Picture a total stranger asking to sit down and talk to them for a few minutes. Stone, Jadin and Andreus greeted me, shook hands with me and were very comfortable with my joining them. Two of these boys are brothers and one a very good friend. My question to them was: "Why did you hold the door open for us?"

The conversation that followed would fill anyone's heart with joy. They held the door open because at home they are taught to be nice to people and respect people by doing even little things for everyone whenever they can.

They informed me that every evening at dinner they talk about what the best thing and the worst thing was that happened at school that day. They said the best things are always fun and the worst thing is talked about so that their parents can help them learn what to do make that particular situation better if it comes up again.

These three boys love talking with their parents, because, to quote one of the boys, "Mom and Dad teach us to be better people and to be good people all our life."

The key statement of the conversation for me was this: "We are taught that we need to love each other at home so we can love everyone else all the time." My thanks to Mom and Dad for teaching love by living lives of loving each other.

I was blessed with the privilege of meeting three happy kids, the kind who will always do their part to keep the world wonderful and make it better and better.

These kids know good manners never go out of style.