This week’s Bouquet —

From Mike Olson, Escanaba:

One weekend night this past winter, I was eating in a local dining facility by myself and this group of six high school boys came in. They were laughing and yukking it up. They sat near me and continued their joyful banter. I asked one of them what was going on. He said that they had won a varsity game the night before and were out celebrating. Their comments spoke of good sportsmanship. They waited for their food and I kept listening. The topic went from their pickups to deer hunting to other sports and sport heroes.

Their food arrived and one of them said, “I think we should pray before we eat.” I’m impressed. One of the guys said, “We should bow our heads.” (I am eating this all up). One leads a short prayer and I hear six “amens.” They sat and ate for about 10 minutes. One asked me some questions. Not once in that time did I hear a swear word, derogatory remark or slam on any females. My attention focused. Surprised and pleased, I bought them all ice cream and thanked them for the great time. Upon leaving, two said to me, “Thanks, sir, for the ice cream and compliments.” Okay, “sir” makes sense.

Soon after that night, I wrote the principal of that school asking if I could send a Letter to the Editor to the Daily Press about what had occurred. I got no response. Maybe that was OK, because readers can now say, “I hope that was my kid or my school. I hope it was ours. I hope my boy would respond that way.” So, if you are from Norway to the west or Manistique to the east, Eben Junction or Mid-Pen north, or Stephenson south, maybe this describes your school or community. I suspect many U.P. schools fall into this category.

Congratulations to many, mainly parents!

Take heart, America. This is a start or a continuation — and ideally our future. I like where we live. Many people disagree with me, but I do not think that “familiarity breeds contempt.” The drama that surrounds all of us here does not affect me. When I expect “good,” I get it. I give it and it comes back, a great cycle.