I'm Aunt Nosy

Beautiful Saturday morning with a clear sky. As usual, I went to drop off Yiga a cup of coffee. I saw her 10-year-old daughter Rachel and patted on her head but I got no response from her. "Are you alright?" I asked. "I am ok..." said Rachel, continuing her scribbling on a book. Clearly she was not ok. "Call me on my cell phone, we talk, all right?"

A couple of hours later, I called her. At the beginning, she didn't want to talk to me about what was bothering her. "All right, I am here if you want to talk. But you know I am nosy, maybe you could do me a favor by telling me and satisfying my curiosity..." So she did start talking.

She really wanted to go to a party that everybody in her class was talking about. She knew (she used the word "guaranteed") that her Dad would NOT let her go and miss her Tea Kwon Do class. Her Dad already rejected her request once before with emphasis on "permanency" (her word again). So she kept quiet and clouded with her little unhappiness.

Here is what I said to her:

First of all, your Daddy didn't even know that you wanted to go. He is not the one to blame. Even he knew and he rejected your request again, still he is not his fault. It's in his right to approve or reject your request because he is your Dad. He is the one who pays for your class, and takes to the class or the party.

What I want to say though, is that you should have been more open and brave and reasonable enough to come forward with your request. Make the best shot at it. You know how many times in your life that you will have to ask, to persuade and to beg for yourself or for your community. No request is too ridiculous if you think you already present your best case. Meanwhile, be prepared to be brave and accept the rejection. It's in your right to ask, but it's in other's right to decide...

I made my point. She got my piont. The sky was all cleared after some clouds and showers. I cannot really tell if she made my day or I made hers.