Rules

Rules.  Rules are everywhere.  From a very young age we are taught not to take candy from/rides from strangers.  Don't lie, cheat or steal.  Don't run stop signs.  Always look both ways before we cross the street.  Rules exist to keep us safe.  To make things fair and equal.  To make things make sense. 

We also hear that rules are meant to be broken.  Or there is the exception to the rule.  But a rule by it's very definition is a "principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc".  As parents, aren't we supposed to lead our children, teach them solid principles with regards to their conduct, actions, etc.  We are supposed to teach them rules.  And rules are meant to be followed. 

Or are they?

When flying home from Key West on Sunday we had a lay-over in Atlanta.  After an hour layover and then another 30 min delay they finally started boarding the plane.  As is customary, they announced that passengers needing extra time down the jetway or families with small children should board the air craft first.  Then is supposed to some first class passengers.  Those are just the rules.  Special needs passengers had boarded the plane.   Bill and I were standing in line ready to board and the gate worker spots 2 soldiers in uniform standing near the desk.  She opens the first class rope and says "soldiers, you in next".  Everyone at the gate turns to see these 2 young men.  Nobody, not one passenger made a fuss, or argued.  This rule, this policy, obviously didn't matter.

Yesterday I stopped into the local grocery to pick up a few items.  A headline in the local paper caught my eye.  As we don't subscribe to the paper, I took a minute to read the first few paragraphs.  A 17-year old senior from the next school district over had been told he wouldn't march with his class or graduate this June.  He had missed too many days in the first semester. 16 unexcused absences when the district's polity (i.e. RULE) was 14.  The article goes on to explain that this boy missed the time because his mother had Stage IV breast cancer.  He missed the days to take his mother to doctors appointments, stayed with her when she was sick.  Stayed with his mother to help.  When all of his other friends were going to football games, being excited about homecoming...he was making life choices that I am sure gave him more of an education than a classroom setting ever could.  I was glad to see that the whole community had rallied behind this young man.  Signing petitions, attending school board meetings, calling the principals office. The article said he would be permitted to graduate with his class in June. 

These two rules, two policies exist for a reason.  But in thinking about what I want to teach my children, the principles and respect I want them to have for others, I hope they know to what extent you should follow a rule.  Don't endanger some one's safety.  Don't blatantly disregard some one's property or personal space.  Do follow governing practices.  Don't drink and drive.  Don't text and drive. 

I don't necessarily think rules are meant to be broken.  I think rules are meant......to be bent.