men

about two weeks ago i went to a media open house. this was simply a meet and greet, a mix and mingle and regardless, it was for work. i, in Sara fashion forgot about this event and wore shitty capri's and a lame shirt to work that day and immediately set my mind on the fact that i would have a beer, listen to the boss talk work and business as i watched people and ate whatever free food was there for offer... not too bad right? yah, i didn't think so either, but to my surprise... i actually heard some very interesting things from a gentleman who also does business with this media partner. here's the deal:


so this man, probably around 62 years of age owns a restaurant in downtown norfolk. he spends his advertising money on radio and was simply there to well...mix and mingle, except this guy probably didn't need to be there to build relationships at all. this man sat smack in front of the dessert table, sipped on a bottle of beer and talked the ears off of anyone that would listen (this will end up being slightly ironic so hang tight) so anyway, boss and i go into the room, grab a seat and begin to pick up an conversation with this man and whoever else was in the room... once the business part was out of the way, we somehow got on the topic of relationships. this is where it got interesting.


this older man proceeded to tell us that he was a father of 6 daughters, all full grown and successful in their own light. what was great about this, aside from the fact that he still had hair on his head that was not gray from raising 6 girls was this; he looked at me and said,


"you know what men never realize, myself including until i finished raising my 6th daughter. all women want in life is to be heard. they want to be cherished. they do not want advice, they do not want opinions, they want to be heard. they may ask for help but if she asks " how should i do this or that?" you first respond "well, what do you think we/you should do". now adays, i tell their husbands... listen to her. look at her facial expressions when she talks, stare into her eyes and really listen. life will be sweeter and love will be stronger if you do just that... and trust me, it makes life easier for the guys too [insert old wise man chuckle]"


now, i don't know this man from a hole in the wall..but what he said could not have hit a stronger chord in my body than if i was listening to a full orchestra in a central park in the middle of a crisp fall day... he was the most level headed man i've ever heard, and i am not sure if it is the daughters, or the age, or the carelessness about what others thought of him... but what he said cant go unspoken. and i figured, if one this is for sure, when something is asked of a man, even if it is simple and full of good intention, say a silent prayer that the right answer will come close behind as to not feel, lets say slightly defeated. it is not about trying to change how they act or what they say, or even how they think...it is just wishing that with a little age comes wisdom, and with youth comes patience. a little easy listening can't be too tough, and if men only knew how easy it really is.. and i promise not all women are crazy, or trying to mold the other into something that they wish was better... 
it might just be a simple yearn for knowing what is best can be achieved, and hopefully it doesn't take six daughters to attain.